Goulburn Valley League leader Echuca flexed its muscles with a big win over Shepparton United, retaining its spot a game clear at the top of the ladder.
Coming up against the languishing Demons, the Murray Bombers were clinical at Deakin Reserve on Saturday, running out 114-point winners.
Echuca slammed home six goals to one in the first stanza, before the Demons recovered to level the second quarter with scores of 3.3 (21) both ways.
However, the Murray Bombers’ retribution was swift, booting seven straight majors to United’s three points in the penultimate quarter to put the result beyond a shadow of a doubt, with the final score reading 21.6 (132) to 6.10 (46).
Liam Tenace and Ruory Kirkby were dominant down forward with five goals apiece, supported well by Will Monahan with three.
Edward Adams and Kaedyn Napier each converted twice for the Demons amid the Echuca onslaught, but the young United outfit was simply outgunned by the red-hot Bombers.
With a swathe of key personnel out, Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said it was a good opportunity for the younger members of his squad to showcase their wares and add another dimension to the line-up.
“We still have a few quality players out, so it was a good opportunity for some of the younger players to stand up,” Maddox said.
“Corbin Anderson played pretty well. Curt Townrow came in after some good form in the reserves. It was a good win with slightly different personnel than we’ve had in recent games.”
Barring the second-quarter lapse, Maddox was pleased with his side’s initiative as he and co-coach Andrew Walker took a back seat at the half-time huddle.
“For three of the four quarters I thought we were pretty good,” Maddox said.
“We had a bit of a snooze in the second quarter, but the boys addressed that at half-time. They did a lot of the talking as opposed to me or Andrew (Walker).
“We came out and played the way we wanted to in the second half. Credit to United, they’re a very young outfit and they had a crack.”
Adding another dimension to an already intimidating line-up, VFL-listed Marty Hore was poised to take his place for Echuca before pulling out late with soreness.
Hore has averaged 26 disposals for North Melbourne, and Maddox said the club was hopeful of seeing him out on the field later in the season.
“Marty was a late withdrawal. He pulled up sore after last week, and obviously being VFL-listed (North Melbourne) weren’t overly keen for him to play unless he was 100 per cent,” Maddox said.
“He’s got another couple of byes later in the year so hopefully we’ll see him then.”
Echuca’s backline received a boost with key defender Cam Valentine making his long-awaited return to the Murray Bombers’ line-up on Saturday, playing his first game since round one.
But while the defensive end has been strengthened, Echuca looks set to lose Elliot Stewart for an extended period after sustaining a knee injury last round.
Echuca currently sits outright first with a 9-1 record and its upcoming run has it poised to improve on that.
The premiership front-runner matches up against last-placed Benalla at Victoria Park in round 11, before travelling out to Princess Park to tackle Shepparton Swans (ninth).
Round 13 will serve as a test for the Murray Bombers with a trip to Euroa at Memorial Oval.