Echuca’s Ashlea Hare looks for her next pass, being guarded by Shepparton goal attack Ruby Higgins. Photos: Jordan Townrow
There will be a new premier in Goulburn Valley League netball this year after Echuca eliminated defending champion Shepparton at Moon Oval on Saturday.
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The Murray Bombers were the favourites heading into their first final but had to be wary against the reigning premier.
Stephanie Vick restarts play from the centre.
Bronwyn Slater’s side had also closed its regular season with a loss and a draw, and the Bears proved they were up for the fight early on, trading goals with their more fancied opponent throughout the first quarter.
Echuca still edged the opening period 18-14, but its struggle to create breathing space continued in the second quarter.
Hannah Crawley and Sheridan Townrow fight for possession.
The Bears didn’t allow Echuca’s lead to surpass five goals in the first half as they kept themselves in striking distance.
The Murray Bombers did close the period with three consecutive baskets to take a 35-30 advantage into half-time.
Lauren Jones throws it in from the baseline.
The back and forth resumed to open the second half before Echuca flipped the switch in the 40th minute.
A run of five straight goals saw the Murray Bombers push their lead out to eight, and Echuca would close the third period by netting 10 of the last 14 baskets.
Lauren Jones stretches out to contest Kimberly Borger’s shot.
Slater’s side continued to find a strong rhythm in attack to open the final quarter, with Shepparton unable to make any major dents in the deficit it was facing.
Echuca scored 13 of the first 20 goals in the fourth, comfortably leading 65-49, and finished the contest by netting four of the last five to put extra gloss on a 71-55 triumph.
Sheridan Townrow takes the shot.
Sheridan Townrow was dominant in the goal circle on the day, scoring 48 times, and she was assisted by 12 from Rose Byrne and 11 for Belinda Lees.
The win for Echuca placed it into a grand final qualifier, where the Murray Bombers will face minor premier Euroa.
Belinda Lees looks for an option in the goal circle.
The Magpies — who only finished two points clear of Echuca on the final round of the regular season — defeated Mooroopna in their qualifying final on Sunday.
Euroa winning was arguably a more favourable result for Slater’s side, given it has not beaten Mooroopna in two attempts this year, but got the better of the Magpies back in round nine.
Ashlea Hare attempts to put pressure on Ruby Higgins’ catch.
The Murray Bombers have a rich recent history with Euroa, the two sides having faced off in the grand final in 2023 and 2024, with both set to add another exciting chapter in this next meeting.
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