Options: Echuca's Logan Prout wears a tackle in round three against Kyabram. Photo: Steve Huntley
In the battle of the GVL heavyweights, how does each side stack up against one another on the stats sheet?
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Unsurprisingly, Echuca tops the leaderboards in a number of key categories after a barnstorming 2022 season to date, leading the league averages in disposals, contested possessions, marks, and marks inside-50.
But Kyabram could tip the scales via air superiority.
The Bombers lead the GVL for contested marks (15.5) and intercept marks (17.6), with the main drivers of Kyabram’s proficiency through the air coming via defender Lachie Smith.
Smith is the GVL’s leading intercept aerialist, coming in at 6.2 a game, which may make him the perfect foil to blunt Murray Bombers forward Ruory Kirkby, who has booted 53 goals to date.
Kirkby and Smith lead the GVL for average marks and contested marks (minimum 10 games), and with Kirkby’s seven marks inside-50 a game causing headaches for opposition back-lines all season, it might be worth Bombers mentor Paul Newman pointing Smith toward Kirkby for the upcoming clash.
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