Goulburn Valley: Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker stars in latest triumph
Echuca has completed back-to-back flags in the Goulburn Valley league, and their veteran player-coach isn’t ruling out a another run at the title.
Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker won’t rule out playing on next season after a starring role in the Murray Bombers’ successful bid for back-to-back premierships in the Goulburn Valley league grand final at Deakin Reserve on Sunday.
The veteran onballer returned to the Echuca line-up for the first time since mid-July among a host of inclusions for the grand final against Kyabram, which led by five points at halftime before being blown apart in the third quarter.
Echuca won by 36 points to lay claim to being the GV league’s latest powerhouse club after also being on top of the ladder when covid cut short the 2021 season.
Walker co-coached alongside one of Echuca’s other grand final stars, Sam Reid, and non-playing mentor Simon Maddox this season.
“I’m about to drink 40 stubbies and have a bloody good night,” Walker said.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead but I felt pretty good today so we’ll see how we go.
“We’re a very fit side, young and enthusiastic and when we get our ball movement going it makes it very hard for teams to go along with us.
“A good side is a team who responds when the chips are down and we did that in spades all season.”
Walker returned from a calf injury as did key defender Cam Valentine, who had been out of the side since round 16.
Ruckman Kane Morris also came back from suspension to star in the win and captain Will Monahan returned from concussion he sustained in the first week of finals.
Midfielder Sam Willoughby won both the Wilf Cox Medal and AFL Country Medal as the best player on the ground.
Kyabram was unable to send its triple premiership coach Paul Newman out with another flag after announcing recently this season would be his last in the role.
Kyabram regained star defender Lachie Smith from injury for the grand final and Anthony DePasquale made an impact up forward for the second week in a row with three goals.
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