Echuca needed a hero.
After leading for almost the entire grand final on Sunday against Euroa, the Murray Bombers unbelievably found themselves behind in the fourth quarter after the Magpies booted the first four goals of the term.
They had controlled the match all day.
But all of a sudden, with the lead erased, it seemed like the club’s 20-year premiership drought might continue.
Trailing, Echuca needing something — anything — to turn the tide.
Up stepped Jackson Stewart.
The ball fell to the youngster inside Echuca’s forward 50.
He gathered, turned and threw the Sherrin on to his boot.
The ball wobbled and tumbled towards goal.
It could have bounced in any direction, but it stayed true and rolled through for a goal.
The Echuca faithful erupted.
Stewart pumped his fist in the air, his magical mullet flowing in the breeze beautifully as he wheeled away in celebration.
His goal had put the Murray Bombers back in front, giving them a lead they would not relinquish again.
Goals to Kane Morris and Cooper Barber sealed the deal, as Echuca soared to a 12-point win and its first senior premiership since 2002.
“This is the best thing I have ever experienced in my life,” Jackson said on the field after the game, the emotion and relief of a grand final win evident on his face.
“The amount of work we have put in as a group over five years, after two COVID years, to finally get to this ... I am on top of the world at the moment.
“I just went crazy. I heard that siren and I run around like a headless chook.
“It was the best feeling ever.”
It might not have looked great off the boot, but it is a goal that will forever live in Echuca Football Netball Club folklore.
“To do that on grand final day ... you have your moment and you take it ... I can’t describe that feeling when it went in,” Stewart said.
“I thought it was going to get touched.
“I thought ‘that is a shocking kick’, but then it went through and the crowd went crazy.
“That is what you play for.”
It was the goal that sparked Echuca’s resurgence, and it helped to kick start a party in Echuca that could last not just all night, but long into the week.
“I don’t think my parents are going to see me for a week, so good luck to them,” Stewart said.