Echuca enjoyed a thumping win over Benalla at the weekend on the back of star forward Ruory Kirkby’s 10-goal haul.
Kirkby was at his dominant best as he headlined an emphatic demolition of Benalla, stretching the Murray Bombers’ winning streak to 10 matches in front of a strong crowd.
While Kirkby had no trouble finding the goals in his side’s 153-point win, the Saints failed to register a major in the round 11 Goulburn Valley League match-up at Victoria Park.
Echuca led from start to finish, dashing out of the gate with a 10-goal first quarter, and Kirkby, who booted four in the first term, was well supported in the eventual 23.19 (157) to 0.4 (4) drubbing.
The result put an exclamation mark on a special day for Echuca, with the club holding the Archie Walker Indigenous round for the fifth year.
Will Monahan booted four goals, while Jackson Stewart, Ben Reid and Jack McHale were dominant across the ground.
Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker was also at his mercurial best to earn a spot in the best players, saying he was pleased with his side’s execution and team-first mentality.
“It was all about our brand, our camaraderie, our game plan,” Walker said post-game.
“It’s not about any individual in particular, it’s about us as a group.”
Still a game clear atop the GVL with a 10-1 record, Walker said the club was well-placed in its bid for a drought-breaking senior flag.
He noted the development of the younger members of the squad, crediting the game of Stewart in particular.
“It’s a good feeling, the club’s in a really good place,” Walker said.
“Standing out on the ground and seeing the development of some of our players, i.e. Logan Prout and Curtis Townrow, who comes into the game and has an immediate impact.
“Watching Riley Smith’s development as well, along with Jackson Stewart who probably had the best game he’s had all year. I could keep going.”
In the goal-kicking stakes, Kirkby’s season tally improved to 38 to close the gap on league leading goal-kicker Chris Neild (45).
Echuca had 11 individual goal-kickers as it notched up its second 150-plus victory this season.
Meanwhile, Benalla’s two-game winning streak came to a crushing end, consigning the Saints to their ninth defeat of the season.
James Martiniello and Saints ruck Josh Marchbank worked hard in the midfield, but Benalla will ultimately look ahead to its clash against Seymour next week as a chance to rebound.