Sport

Third quarter outburst gets Murray Bombers back on track

By Oliver Shedden

Jul 6, 2025

Riley Smith kicks it long. Photo: Jordan Townrow Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

After a devastating loss on home turf to arch rival Rochester the previous weekend, a third-term surge has lifted Echuca back to its winning ways against Euroa in round 13 of Goulburn Valley League football.

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In what ended up being a fairly convincing 44-point win over the Magpies, it didn’t start so hot for the Murray Bombers at Victoria Park.

Letting Euroa get off to a 3.4 start in the first quarter, Echuca managed a clean three-goal effort to match, making the most of its slim opportunities in front of goal.

Despite trailing by four points at quarter-time, the Murray Bombers switched off in the second period, adding just 1.1 to their tally, while the Magpies capitalised with 3.5 in reply to snatch a 20-point lead at half-time.

It was quickly becoming a dire situation for Echuca, which was staring down the barrel of a second loss in as many games, but a third-term deluge salvaged any doubt sown about the three-time defending champion.

It was raining goals at Victoria Park in the third stanza, with a downpour of 10 goals and five behinds not only erasing Euroa’s lead, but granting Echuca a 39-point lead heading into the final frame.

While the Murray Bombers couldn’t replicate their attacking brilliance down the stretch, they began how they started, with three goals steering the host home to a 17.6 (108) to 9.10 (64) victory.

It was a welcome return for Kane Morris, who kicked four goals in the contest, with Liam Gronow putting in a solid shift in front of goal with a trio of majors.

Harry Milburn was awarded best-on-ground for his work out of back pocket with Tom Evans, Jaxson McMinn, Jai Milligan and Tighe O’Brien also earning nods.

While the win was convincing enough to say they are back on track, the Murray Bombers will be itching to get more of their premiership players back from injury as the GVL races towards September.

For now, Echuca should have another win to add to its books in round 14, as the green contingent travels to Tatura Park to face the current wooden-spooner Tatura.