Sport
Echuca’s Sam and Cooper Willoughby scoop the medal pool after a stunning grand final showing
You just call on me, brother, when you need a win.
A slightly misquoted Bill Withers lyric certainly rings true when sung to the tune of Sam and Cooper Willoughby, who lifted Echuca over the line in a Goulburn Valley League grand final demolition.
The Murray Bombers brothers were simply superb, footloose and fancy free in the big dance to help their side to a 23.16 (154) to 9.4 (58) result and lift the trophy on a green day at Deakin Reserve.
Only, the premiership cup wasn’t the only thing they left with.
Sam Willoughby, who roved around the forward line before transitioning into midfield, kicked two goals and went on to be awarded the AFL Vic Country Medal.
Cooper Willoughby one-upped his older brother and snagged four majors to snare the Wilf Cox Medal, taking bragging rights off his sibling after Sam secured the honour in the 2023 grand final.
It was a fitting reward for a season-long grind, and coming into the game, Cooper knew his side was primed.
“I think we knew if we played well we could get it done,” he said.
“But it was never going to be easy against Shepp — they’re a good side.”
As for Sam, he was just rapt to play and win alongside his brother and add another premiership medallion - as well as an extra shiny piece of neck garb - to the cabinet.
“It’s insane,” he said.
“It’s pretty cool - winning a flag with your brother is something that you dream of.
“You can’t ever get sick of winning. And three in a row, it’s a pretty cool feat to be a part of.
So, after three flags in a row, what more can you do?
Four is the natural suggestion.
And when the question was put to Cooper as to whether that was the plan, the answer was classic Willoughby.
“Are we going for four? Oh we’ll see how we go, (we) may as well,” he said.