Forwards can make or break a game, but sometimes they tear it apart.
Echuca young gun Hugh Byrne did just that during the third quarter of the Murray Bombers’ memorable 36-point triumph to claim back-to-back Goulburn Valley League premierships.
After Kyabram kept Echuca in check for the first half at Deakin Reserve, the Murray Bombers launched a third-quarter raid.
The man on the end of a number of Echuca’s forays forward was Byrne who caused the Bombers’ defence all sorts of problems with two majors as his outfit went on to boot eight goals for the term.
The 18-year-old rising star kicked three majors for the match, joint top scoring for Echuca alongside Liam Tenace.
As friends and family patted him on the back and passed on their congratulations, Byrne reflected on winning the biggest prize.
“Absolutely unbelievable,” Byrne said as he struggled to come to grips with being a senior premiership player.
“Growing up around this area you spend your whole life coming through, so to be able to win a senior flag with (the club) is unbelievable.”
Byrne had his best spell in the third where he seemed to be on the end of the majority of Echuca’s entries.
“I didn’t have to do much,” he said.
“The boys just did all the work and they got it to me.”
A popular man at the club on and off the field, cries of “Hughy” filled the air as the Murray Bombers got their celebrations well and truly under way.