Goulburn Valley: Echuca kicks clear in last term to beat Kyabram

See all the pictures and coverage from the Goulburn Valley league’s top-of-the-table clash between Echuca and Kyabram.

Echuca powered away late to beat one of its biggest threats to back-to-back Goulburn Valley league premierships on Saturday.

The Murray Bombers are perfectly placed to repeat their feat of winning successive flags in 2001 and 2002 after booting five goals to one in the last term to down second-placed Kyabram by 37 points.

Echuca has dropped only one match this season, to Seymour, with its next biggest test looming in a fortnight against Euroa – the team it beat in last year’s grand final.

Echuca was bolstered by the return of Aiden Mills, Logan Prout and Jack Evans from the VFL.

Echuca’s Cameron Valentine prepares to tackle Rochester’s Reuben Rode. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

Ominously, the top-line trio will be available in September along with Sam Willoughby, who is also playing VFL this year and already played the required five games for Echuca to be eligible for finals.

“We should get most of them back because their clubs won’t play finals in the VFL,” Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said.

Evans starred against Kyabram with the highlight of his game being a brilliant two-bounce running goal at the start of the last term.

Echuca’s Sam Reid manages to get a handball away despite pressure from Kyabram’s Charlie Barnett.

The lead changed seven times before Echuca booted three goals in quick succession from Callum Parsons, Cam Valentine and Liam Tenace late in the third.

“The first half was tight and a real arm wrestle,” Maddox said.

“We thought we played it on Kyabram’s terms a bit.

“They could have been a bit further in front at halftime, but we spoke about playing it on our terms in the second half by trying to get our running game going.

“Once we did that I thought the game opened up.”

Echuca belt out the team song after beating Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley league on Saturday.

Former Greater Western Sydney player Sam Reid is starring in his second season for Echuca after missing a large chunk of his first year due to injury.

He kicked two goals as did Evans, Tenace, Parsons and Will Monahan and co-coach Andrew Walker provided plenty of drive from the midfield and halfback to also be in the best.

Echuca’s Liam Tenace marks in front of Kyabram star defender Lachlan Smith.

Liam Ogden became only the sixth Kyabram player to hit the 200-match milestone on Saturday and figured in the best along with dangerous small forward Kyle Mueller, who booted four goals, and one of the recruits of the season, Will Golds.

But, the Murray Bombers were able to limit the impact of Kaine Herbert, Brad Mangan and Kayne Pettifer.

Kyabram’s Lachlan Smith pulls in a chest mark.

Kyabram’s Liam Ogden marks in front of Echuca’s Jack McHale.

Echuca downed Kyabram on Saturday in a late-season Goulburn Valley league blockbuster.

Kyabram’s Kyle Mueller uses Echuca opponent Cameron Valentine as a step ladder.

Kyabram’s Kayne Pettifer is sandwiched between Echuca opponents Curtis Townrow and Joe Guiney.

Echuca’s Liam Tenace sets off with the ball against Kyabram.

Echuca’s Cooper Barber takes a ride on a Kyabram opponent.

Echuca’s Liam Tenace has front position in this marking contest.

Echuca’s Sam Reid is tackled by Kyabram’s Charlie Barnett.

Kyabram’s Reuben Rode gets his boot to the ball.

Kyabram’s Toby Wooller prepares to tackle Echuca’s Jackson Stewart.

Echuca’s Logan Prout soars over Kyabram’s Kyle Mueller to spoil.

Echuca’s Callum Parsons attempts to halt Kyabram’s Hayden Gemmill breaking away with the ball.

Echuca’s Cameron Valentine drifted down from defence to kick a goal against Kyabram.

Echuca players Logan Prout, Cameron Valentine and Aiden Mills outnumber their Kyabram opponent.

Echuca’s Corbin Anderson and Kyabram’s Mitchell Dodos wrestle for possession of the ball.