Sport
GVL | ‘A bit older, a bit wiser’: Echuca aims for redemption in grand final appearance
Most Goulburn Valley League pundits would agree Echuca is on the cusp of assuming Kyabram’s role of being the league’s next powerhouse outfit.
Although the Murray Bombers are set to field all four football grades in Sunday’s grand finals, an incredible feat in its own regard, the boys in bottle green are still chasing that elusive senior premiership — a run that stretches 20 years.
Echuca gets a crack at bursting the dam wall on Sunday in the senior grand final clash against Euroa at Deakin Reserve.
Simon Maddox and Andrew Walker are one win away from rubber stamping their outfit’s impeccable 2022 campaign — one that consists of a single hiccup in round 18 — and acquiring the mantle of the league’s best team.
You could say that the Murray Bombers weren’t ready to win in 2019, with Kyabram’s grand final triumph the culmination of its astonishing 84-game display, but Maddox told the Riverine Herald this week the days and years between have aided his outfit.
“We haven’t had a chance to avenge the 2019 grand final to Kyabram, but now we’re back and we’ve learnt from that experience,” Maddox said.
“We’re all a bit older, a bit wiser and our kids are a bit older — some of them have played 30 or 50 senior games.”
Maddox, unlike most of his charges, has tasted premiership success.
The brilliant tactician was a member of Echuca’s 2002 title win — one that was built on local talent.
And the premiership player can see similarities between the classes of ’02 and ’22.
“It’s very similar, 2002 to 2022, in the sense that it’s populated by locals,” he said.
“We didn’t have blokes driving up from Melbourne, we all trained together and we have that good vibe.
“The only guy that isn’t born and bred or works here is Dan Willis, but even he’s been driving down the highway and been playing with us the last five or six years and he’s played over 100 games.”
One player that won’t run out for the Murray Bombers is star talent Jack McHale.
The hard-nosed midfielder will miss after he received a four-week suspension following an incident in the semi-final win over Euroa.
Fellow gun midfielder Sam Willoughby, who finished top-five in Wednesday’s Morrison Medal count, will return from injury and take up McHale’s place in the side that defeated the Magpies a fortnight ago.
Maddox said it would be disappointing not to see the contested bull, a key member of the flag charge, take to the field this weekend.
“He made a split-second decision, whether he made a poor one or didn’t execute properly, he’s probably got to live with that and watch his teammates run out in a grand final,” Maddox said.
“He’d give anything to be out there with us, but footy’s made in split-second calls and having coached him he’s one of the fairer players you’ll play with.
“He’ll always shake his man’s hand and he’s the first one to back up his teammates. Talk to any of our boys and they’d love to go to war with him.
“He’s a great guy, so it’s really disappointing for him, but we learn from our mistakes and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Although the Murray Bombers hold a 3-0 ledger against the Magpies in 2022, Maddox expected the opponents to come out “full of pepper”.
“We’ve beaten them a few times and the scoreboard hasn’t reflected what those games are like,” Maddox said.
“They’re a lot closer and harder fought than what the scoreboard shows. We’re one and two in a lot of (statistical) categories.
“We’re one game away from the goals we set at the start of the year — they’re in the same boat ... whether it’s by one point or a hundred points, one side will be jubilant and celebrating while the other will be lamenting a missed opportunity.
“It’s a fickle world footy. Sometimes you’ll be talking about a couple of centimetres either side of a goal post.
“We’ll give it our best shot and the sun will come up (on) Monday.”