Echuca will be left to ponder “what if?” after Euroa staged a thrilling fourth-quarter fightback to bundle the Murray Bombers out of the Goulburn Valley League finals race.
Despite conceding a seven-goal lead heading into the final term of the elimination final at Kings Park, the Magpies reeled off four of the first five goals of the last term before stealing the lead midway through the quarter in a remarkable blitz.
The final siren confirmed Euroa’s come-from-behind victory in yet another thrilling chapter in the story of these two sides.
This time, the 40-37 defeat has brought a promising season to a close for Echuca and coach Steph Vick said the loss was the nature of the finals beast after a promising lead-in.
“Unfortunately there can only be one winner on the day and it wasn’t us,” Vick said.
“We had some beautiful passages of play, but unfortunately it wasn’t one of our best games. It’s just what finals is.”
With scores level at half-time, Echuca’s third quarter was its highlight as it gained the midcourt ascendancy.
But Euroa’s defensive “wall” in the fourth quarter stifled much of that promising ball movement, with the Magpies’ backcourt forcing crucial turnovers late in the game.
“They stepped up their defence with a very tough wall across the back half which made it difficult to get off the centre pass,” Vick said.
“As the game went on we had to pass quite a few times just to have the opportunity for a shot. That was quite tiring.”
Vick, Jacqueline James and Greta Pearson led an arm wrestle clash for Echuca, but the elimination final is where the Murray Bombers’ season will close in 2022.
“I’m just incredibly proud of the players,” Vick said.
“Some of those players have been with me for the past two years and it’s just been a long time without having closure on the season.
“Even though we didn’t win, we definitely showed a great amount of improvement from where we started this season. I’m proud of their dedication.”
On Sunday afternoon, Seymour kicked its premiership defence on in dominant fashion, easily accounting for Mooroopna 53-40 at Echuca’s Victoria Park.
Sporting a full-strength line up, which had stars Nakita Singe, Sarah Szczykulski and Casey Adamson return, the Lions dominated the contest from start to finish, making a major statement to its A-grade competitors.
Seymour coach Ellie O’Sullivan said it was fantastic to see her team put together a complete four-quarter effort.
“It was so good (to put such a strong performance together), having a full-strength line up certainly helped, but we were just on from the first whistle,” O’Sullivan said.
“We were super keen to bounce back after a poor performance and I think we saw that mindset with our pressure.
“As a coach I was just super proud of the girls.”
Jess Lallo was the star of the show, with her accuracy around the goals vital to the Lions’ cause, while Adamson was at her dominant best through the midcourt.
Seymour now prepares for an epic semi-final clash with Shepparton United this week, with the winner to go through to the grand final.
While Mooroopna will face Echuca for a spot in the preliminary final.