Echuca is the last undefeated team standing in Goulburn Valley League after pummelling Shepparton United at the weekend, but the win was soured as defender Kieran Hogan went down with an injury.
The contest at Victoria Park lived up to its first-versus-last billing as the Murray Bombers ran away 101-point winners, their 10th consecutive victory.
Sam Reid booted six goals in the 22.5 (137) to 5.6 (36) win, with a 10-goal third term highlighting the Murray Bombers’ dominance.
Echuca skipped away with a seven-goal first quarter, and three more in the second ensured the Murray Bombers took a 41-point advantage into the second half.
A 10-goal-to-nil third quarter the way of Echuca put the cherry on top of an emphatic win, and co-coach Sam Reid was pleased to see his side had not dropped the ball coming out of the bye.
“Previous history suggests after a bye we aren’t too flash,” Reid said.
“We were pretty selfless throughout the whole day, if there was someone in a better position we passed it off.
“It was good to get a good win on the board and start well because the next couple of weeks is where we’ll find where we’re really at.”
Reid was well supported by skipper Will Monahan with four goals as Echuca, remarkably, notched its sixth game with more than 10 individual goal-kickers.
“In previous years we’ve had the focal points down forward, whereas now anyone can pop up and kick two or three goals and we’re not relying on one forward,” Reid said.
“It’s hard for other teams to match up on.”
Sam Willoughby also impressed in his return from VFL duties, while Matt Lias and Lachie Watson performed well.
Adam Pigatto and Marcus Wattie battled hard for United.
But while Echuca would have been pleased with another win, the post-game focus rested on Hogan, who looks poised for an extended stint on the sidelines with a leg injury.
The young backman had played seven games in a consistent run in the senior side, and Reid said the club was waiting to see the extent of his injury after he was rushed to Melbourne.
“We were disappointed to see Keiran Hogan go down, it looks like we’ll miss him for a while,” Reid said.
“He was just getting going and he just can’t get a run at it, which is disappointing.
“We don't know the full extent, but it looks like he might have done an ACL. We’re hoping he’s in the clear with some nerve damage.”
Echuca will now cast its eye to this Saturday’s grand final rematch against Euroa, the first in a challenging four-game block that features clashes against four of the present top six.
The Murray Bombers are the last undefeated team courtesy of Kyabram's thrilling one-point win over Seymour.