Echuca United’s lean start to the season continued on Saturday against a red-hot Cobram, slumping to a fourth consecutive 100-point defeat in round four of the Murray Football League.
United was blitzed at every change out at Echuca South Reserve, eventually falling to a 151-point defeat to one of the Murray Football League flag favourites.
Eagles coach Farran Priest conceded Cobram was just too talented on the day but remained upbeat.
“We actually took a lot of positives out of it,” Priest said.
“Our poor start obviously made it hard, they kicked six goals before we had the ball on our own terms.
“We just played a lot of catch-up footy. In stages we slowed them down a bit but they are a really good side.”
Priest admits his side needs to work on its slow starts after a promising first quarter against Moama the week prior.
“What we’ll take out of it is how we manage our starts,” Priest said.
“We showed at periods of time that we could match it, it’s just about doing that for longer periods.”
Cobram’s Darcy McCormack and Ben Ryan booted nine goals between them, while the Tigers midfield brigade ran rampant, including best-and-fairest Adam De Cicco in a best-on-ground outing.
United managed four goals for the day, with Brodie Dixon and Jesse Garner booting two each.
Lachlan Carmody was arguably the Eagles’ best amid the Tigers onslaught, while Bailey Boyack continued his fine start to life in an Eagles jumper.
But Priest said it was one of his young wingers who stood out after a promising stretch.
“Lachlan Egglestone’s last two or three games have been really good,” Priest said.
“He’s working super hard, he’s starting to understand the role of a senior wingman.
“He’s prepared to get the hard ball and work both ways — he’s someone we can really rely on.”
Cobram has climbed into second behind Moama following the victory.
United remains firmly rooted to the Murray Football League ladder after four games with another difficult assignment ahead of it; an away game against another contender in Mulwala.
Murray Football League
Echuca United 4.3 (27) def by Cobram 27.16 (178)
Echuca United
Goals: Brodie Dixon, Jesse Garner 2
Best: Lachlan Carmody, Bailey Boyack, Lachlan Egglestone, Darcy Ramage, Jesse Garner, Dane Leyden.
Cobram
Goals: Darcy Pridham-McCormack 5, Ben Ryan, Adam De Cicco 4, Tyron Baden, Lewis McShane 3, Tim Garlick, Sam Gemmill 2, Luca Allen, Matteo Allen, Matthew DeMaio, Cadeyn Williams
Best: Adam De Cicco, Harry Beasley, Tyron Baden, Ryan Mele, Darcy Pridham-McCormack, Tim Baker