It’ll be a clash of the titans at Victoria Park for round 10 of the GVL when back-to-back defending champions Echuca faces current table toppers Shepparton Bears in what could be a grand final preview.
The Bears will head into the clash as the only undefeated side left in the competition, with Echuca dropping a single game to arch-rivals Rochester in a round five stunner.
If the Murray Bombers can hand Shepparton its first loss for the season this week, they will take the top spot heading into the back half of the competition.
Echuca has a much more substantial percentage (226.42) than Shepparton (178.49), so it will have a chance to re-establish its dominance against its primary challenger for the flag in September.
In its last three games against Shepparton Swans, Benalla Saints and Tatura, Echuca has beaten its opponents by an average of 99 points.
In contrast, Shepparton’s last three games against Benalla, Tatura and Kyabram saw it average a 65-point margin of victory.
In what looks to be a showcase of high-calibre talent, some of the league’s best and brightest will be on display such as Echuca’s Jack McHale and Shepparton’s Adam De Cicco.
Shepparton and Echuca’s personnel account for five of the top 10 players in ranking points for the season, with the Bears having the top three (Adam De Cicco, Luke Smith and Ash Holland) and Echuca having Jack McHale and Liam Tenace.
Both teams are a cut above the rest in terms of scoring for the season so far, with Echuca bagging 144 goals and 105 behinds, and Shepparton not far behind, kicking 133 goals and 104 behinds.
Echuca also leads the competition in scoring efficiency with 57, a little more than Shepparton, who sits in third with 54.
It is set to be a battle in the middle as Echuca leads the competition in clearances with 381, the Bears following close behind with 372 for the season through nine rounds.
Both teams’ centre clearances are also at the top of the table, with Echuca’s 112 being the second highest and Shepparton’s third.
There is little separating these two GVL heavyweights, and when it comes down to it, anything can happen on game day.
First bounce in the senior men’s fixture between Echuca and Shepparton Bears at Victoria Park is set for 2pm on Saturday.