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GVL | Gallery | Echuca completes reserves redemption story with thumping triumph over Kyabram

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Redemption story: Echuca celebrates its reserves premiership. Photo: Megan Fisher Photo by Megan Fisher

Redemption.

Ever since wayward kicking saw Echuca lose the 2019 reserves grand final to Seymour by five points, the side has been waiting for a chance at sweet redemption.

Three years later, the Murray Bombers finally tasted premiership glory, accounting for minor premier Kyabram by 28 points in Sunday’s grand final at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve.

Emotions spill over: Injured captain Jayden Howe is embraced post-game. Photo by Megan Fisher

Fittingly, this time around it was Echuca’s accuracy in front of goal that set up the 11.7 (73) to 6.9 (45) victory, kicking five majors before registering a behind to give itself an early lead — one it never surrendered.

Standing up: Echuca’s Seb Monohan. Photo by Megan Fisher

Jed Brereton was the star for the Murray Bombers, producing a dominant performance in the ruck to claim the Peter Ryan Medal as the best player on the ground.

For coach Troy Murphy the result served as the culmination of three years of hard work and he was filled with joy and relief when the final siren sounded.

“It is a pretty sweet feeling,” Murphy said.

Ball in hand: Kyabram’s Ryan Hatch. Photo by Megan Fisher

“We lost in 2019 when I thought we had a good enough side to win it, then last year as well we were in a great spot before COVID-19 nipped that in the bud.

“But all the boys stuck together, we kept working hard and got the reward — the overwhelming result for me is relief.”

Strong hands: Echuca’s Brady Simpson takes a big mark. Photo by Megan Fisher

It was the Callum Parsons show in the early stages, with the mercurial small forward booting the first two goals to give his side the perfect start.

The Murray Bombers made their dominance count around the goals, opening up a critical 23-point advantage at the first change.

Soaking it in: Echuca’s Seb Monahan after the game. Photo by Megan Fisher

Well and truly shell-shocked at the start of the second term, Brereton inflicted more pain on the Bombers, with a 50m penalty extending the lead past five goals.

Haning on for dear life: Echuca’s Jordan Frew attempts to tackle Kyabram’s Mitch Gugliotti. Photo by Megan Fisher

But Kyabram showed why it claimed the minor premiership, settling into the contest late in the second term — with Mitch Dodos the catalyst, helping shave the margin back to three goals at the main change.

The first goal of the second half was always going to be telling, as Kyabram started the third term pressing hard.

Echuca’s defence was resolute, not letting Kyabram score and setting up the counter attack that lead to Aaron Lonergan kicking a tough set shot.

Quick hands: Echuca’s Seb Monahan escapes pressure by Kyabram’s James Curnow. Photo by Megan Fisher

Breaking a 10-minute dead-lock, Echuca dealt Kyabram a hammer blow on the three-quarter-time siren, with Fraser Brooks nailing a goal from outside 50 to extend the lead past five goals.

Urged by coach Murphy to not go into their shells in the final quarter, the Murray Bombers kept the pressure on.

Out in front: Echuca’s Jed Brereton. Photo by Megan Fisher

And while Kyabram kept the margin from blowing out, it was party time for the boys in bottle green in the final term, with majors to Jack Tenace, Rab Guinan and Ryan Campbell rubber stamping the premiership victory.

Murphy said the result spoke to the strength of the club and made for a bright future at Victoria Park.

Eyes on the footy: Kyabram’s Mitch Dodos takes a mark. Photo by Megan Fisher

“I’ve been at a lot of footy clubs over the journey, but none compare to how strong this one is from top to bottom,” he said.

“There are about 15 blokes in our side that could walk into the seniors and contribute and, with the under-18s winning the flag as well, Echuca is a great spot to be right now.”

2022 Goulburn Valley League reserves grand finl

Echuca 5.1, 6.4, 8.7, 11.7 (73)

Kyabram 1.2, 3.4, 3.5, 6.9 (45)

GOALS, ECHUCA: Callum Parsons 2, Jordan Frew, Joe Guiney, Cooper Willoughby, Jed Brereton, Aaron Lonergan, Fraser Brooks, Rab Guinan, Ryan Campbell, Jack Tenace. KYABRAM: Mitchell Dodos 2, Mitch Gugliotti, Jarryd Pertzel, Adam Pulsoni, Ben Holman

BEST, ECHUCA: Jed Brereton, Jordan Frew, Aaron Lonergan, Cooper Willoughby, Callum Parsons, Mitch Pearson, Joe Guiney, Fraser Brooks, Brady Simpson. KYABRAM: Mitchell Dodos, Brodie Thomson, James Curnow, Brodie Easton, Jarryd Pertzel, Adam Pulsoni

Party time: Echuca players celebrate after the siren. Photo by Megan Fisher