The Echuca Murray Bombers have continued their bright star to the 2022 Goulburn Valley League season, defeating Kyabram in Kyabram on Saturday night.
It was a relatively even contest in the first half, with neither side able to pull ahead, however that all changed in the third term.
With Kyabram up by two points at the main break Echuca came out firing.
The men in green piled the pressure on to the home side, with a big second half seeing them pick up a 8.6 (54) to 10.13 (73) victory.
Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker said it was good to get the win with some key players missing.
“It was one of those games where you go in and we’re sort of riddled with injuries at the moment which is actually at times welcomed by us as a playing group because it gives players an opportunity to step up,” Walker said.
“We’ve got some absolute key players out and some late omissions with Matt Lias who started the season off really well for us and Brady Simpson on game day having to pull out due to illness as well.”
Echuca’s outs provided an opportunity for Kieran Hogan to come into the side for a senior debut, with Walker outlining the challenge of playing your first game of senior football at a hostile Kyabram under lights.
“It’s very one-sided Kyabram, for him to come over and be a part of that was awesome and I’m just glad we got the win for him,” he said.
Defenders Ben Reid and Logan Prout were named among Echuca’s best players for the contest, with Kane Morris, Sam Willoughby and Jack Evans all playing well.
For Kyabram the result is disappointing, however coach Paul Newman said he was happy with his side’s efforts.
“I was pleased with the effort, they had a crack all night, I think probably the scoreboard flattered us a little bit, they missed a few opportunities in front of goal,” Newman said.
“I thought our first half we were right in the game, we lost Zac Keogh five minutes into the first quarter which sort of hurt us a little bit so I was really pleased with the way they hooked in for the four quarters.”
Newman said Kyabram’s defence stood out in the game, with an unbelievable performance from Jason Morgan a highlight.
“There was some good performances, a few were down and out but we’ve just got to try and bridge that gap between some of our younger kids’ best and worst,” he said.
“It’s a work in progress so we know that we’re sort of around the mark, we just need to keep improving.”
The result leaves both teams sitting on two wins and one loss after three rounds, with Echuca’s loss coming after the GVL’s decision to strip the club of its round one premiership points for fielding an unregistered player.