There was a lot to like about Echuca on Saturday.
The Murray Bombers’ 17-goal deliverance over Mooroopna had all the trimmings of a side destined to go deep into finals, with Belinda Lees’s side a cut above the second-placed Cats at times.
Echuca led at every quarter and never put a foot out of place, eventually sliding into third on the Goulburn Valley League A-grade table thanks to the 48-31 result at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
“I think the girls just did their job; we didn’t overwork, we just played our roles and sat in our positions,” Lees said.
“A few things that we’ve been working on started to come together and I think the girls are starting to see that come to fruition and trust each other and trust in that process.
“That’s really exciting going forward.”
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Leading from the back: Mooroopna’s Maddison Wong. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
Launch it: Echuca’s Ashlea Mangan. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
Tough tussle: Mooroopna’s Ashley Lancaster shoots under pressure from Echuca’s Ashlea Mangan. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
Making things happen: Echuca’s Lilly Devlin. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
Giving instructions: Mooroopna’s Asha Gray. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 8
Lining up: Echuca’s Belinda Lees. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 8
Play on: Echuca’s Stephanie Vick. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 8
On guard: Mooroopna’s Caitlin McLachlan. Photo by Megan FisherWhile both sides had quality across the court, Echuca had a certain spring to its step from the off.
The match-up of Sheridan Townrow, playing her 150th game for the Murray Bombers, against Maddison Wong was a true spectacle and it was the former who got the travellers off to a flier.
Echuca held a two-goal lead by quarter-time thanks to acute shooting from Townrow and Lees which was built to 25-16 at the half.
At the other end, Ashlea Mangan and Lauren Jones had the upper hand on Ella Ogier and Ashley Lancaster with Mooroopna’s attacking duo unable to work its magic under duress.
By three-quarter-time the score read 37-26.
The Cats needed to find their teeth, but were punished as Echuca sunk five consecutive goals to effectively kill the game.
Townrow, at times, was almost operating within a forcefield as she often found herself in acres of space and dispatching with laser-like precision.
The unrelenting waves of Echuca pressure eventually became too much for Mooroopna to bear and the visitors would steal the four points in style to round out the home-and-away season on a high.
Lees paid credit to her contributors, heaping plenty of praise on Townrow’s performance during a milestone game for the seasoned goaler.
“I’m rapt with the girls, I think that we’re really starting to come together and play our roles for each other,” she said.
“It was a special day for Sherry in her 150th, so it was nice to get a good win and it just felt comfortable.
“She’s a stalwart of the club, she brings the laughs absolutely, but she’s the first person to put her hand up and do anything for the Echuca Bombers.
“Whether it’s a committee, whether it’s a social event, whether it’s at training and helping out with coaching the juniors, she’s an all-rounder and we’re very lucky to have her.’’
Alongside Townrow, Lees also talked up the games of Mangan and Jones alongside bright spark Raina Fimmel.
Around the courts, Euroa claimed the minor premiership mantle thanks to an 81-23 smashing of Mansfield.
The top-versus-bottom clash was an exact representation of the ladder position with the Magpies far too good at home.
Shepparton managed an eight-goal beating of Seymour, while Tatura hurdled the challenge of Shepparton Swans 44-33.
It means the Bulldogs have qualified for finals for the first time in 17 years, an unbelievable feat sure to be well celebrated at the kennel.
Finally, Rochester signed off with a monster 62-29 victory over Shepparton United and Kyabram felled Benalla 44-30.