Eagles, Bombers soar in junior footy

In his final game of the season, Jack Ridge was superb early, repelling the onslaught along with Harry Emonson and keeping the Bombers in the contest.

Max Taranto’s and Lucy Donnan's work rate through the midfield was enormous, while Tom Arthurson's recent rich vein of form continued.

In the second quarter the Bombers lifted. Max Williams was getting his share of midfield clearances, Charlie Hearn's intercept marking was on full display and Jaxon Foley kicked his weekly goal of the year contender from the pocket.

The Bombers continued to lift after half-time, with Harry Farrant providing plenty of run and carry. Jobe Hosking was busy around the packs. Max Gill set the ground alight, with two remarkable goals in as many minutes. Tarranto stood tall in defence and the Bombers went into the final term full of confidence.

On the back of coach Ridge's closing address for season 2022, the Bombers came out full of running. Oliver Wallis roamed the midfield racking up disposals at will, Ash Quayle was lively up forward while Flyn Mcredden's attack on the ball was tremendous allowing the Bombers too finish off in style.

Awards: Roma, Max Gill. Club Voucher, Max Taranto. Odd Captain, Jaxon Foley.

– Brock Williams

Under-10 White v Kyabram

Echuca White were at their best against Kyabram on a brisk, dewy night. Coach Tim directed his players to keep their head over the ball and focus on strong handballs.

Captain Jaxon Key set the tone for the night, his pace and strong use of the ball kicking banana goals and even a spectacular left foot snap. Jett’s clearances in the middle allowed Kai to show his strength through the middle, his clean hands were like a magnet to the ball.

If there was a pack Jordan, Harrison and Fletch were in it smashing the ball out. Blake was ready and waiting to barrel kick the ball down towards their goal. Ned took a cracker of a mark and followed through with a great to kick to Ged.

Ged played a spectacular game, in everything, composed with the ball and frequently drilling goals. Fletch was everywhere all game, hitting contests hard. Thomas found himself under pressure but like Flash Gordon he left the opposition behind.

Seth showed what he had fending off his man and delivering long into the forward line. Sam Whan’s defence ensured the ball was set up for the forward line time and time again. A great team effort, with everyone playing a part and sharing the footy.

– Contributed

Under-10 Murray Bombers v Moama Black

Round eight was an important round with EJFC celebrating our Indigenous culture and communities.

All players proudly entered the field in their newly designed Indigenous jumpers in recognition of this special week.

It was a great match played by both Echuca Murray Bombers and Moama Black.

The first quarter saw both teams scoring goals but Echuca proved stronger, dominating the play in the forward with outstanding play by Ryder, Hunter C. and Hugh and exceptional tackling from Jaspa.

The second quarter was a closer contest with strong marking and play by Will, Hugh, Harry and Jack and great tackling by Eddie and Jaspa.

Echuca dominated the third quarter with Lachy, Luca and Blake demonstrating some great skills, Hunter J. and Finn playing strong and Hugh doing an incredible job chasing the ball for the entire quarter.

Quarter four proved even with both teams scoring three goals apiece which was great to see and Moama really putting the pressure on in the contests.

Overall a great result for Echuca with eight players contributing to the goal scoring (15 goals in total). Top goal kickers were Ryder 5, Hunter C. 3 and Lachy 2.

– Rachel Colless

Under-12 Bombers v Echuca United

Echuca Bombers under-12s hosted Echuca United at Victoria Park on Sunday morning.

Led out by captain for the match Swiggsy, Echuca ran on to the field missing a number of regular players. United started the match well and moved the ball forward putting the Bombers defence led by Kai, Jed and fill-in Lachy, under pressure from the first bounce.

The Bombers defence tried their best to repel the attacks, but United built a wall to keep the ball in their attacking area. United finished the quarter well on top and making the most of their attacking opportunities.

In the second quarter, Taj in the ruck tried to give his team first use of the ball. The Bombers started to get their hands on the ball more and move it into their attacking 50. Arli and Jagger controlled the midfield and pressured the United players into many turnovers. A ‘Pagan’s Paddock’ type forward set-up allowed the ball to be passed to Immy to run into an open goal.

The third quarter was played similarly to the second, as the ball moved between both teams’ attacking 50s, but each defence stood tall. Jencie, Charlie and Gus took many intercept marks and tried to set-up players in attacking positions. United used their height to thwart the Bombers’ attacks.

At three quarter time, the Bombers players were told to back themselves and finish the game off. Arli was able to snap a goal early in the last quarter to give the Bombers some life. United players looked to have the fresher legs as they were able to move the ball forward and finish off their good work with goals. Harry, Ducky and Lily ran the game out to the end and all players could hold their heads high for their efforts.

– Jarrod Williams

Under-12 Green v Moama Black

Moama Black hosted Echuca Green under the lights on Friday night. Echuca were put under pressure early with Moama setting a fast pace and controlling the play from the first bounce.

Echuca’s midfield worked hard to hold the ball up in the centre, and despite Moama having the ball down their scoring end most of the quarter, managed just the single goal for their efforts.

In the second quarter, Moama continued to control the game, highlighted by accurate kicking to their forward line. Echuca’s Ryder Colless and Jack Millar impressed with their skills in the centre, and despite the best efforts from Echuca’s backline that included some strong tackling from Billy Sutton and Jack Schroeter, Moama scored again to take a commanding lead as they headed into half-time.

The third quarter saw Echuca come out re-energised, taking advantage of opportunities to push the ball forward. Lachie Jeffreys was a standout with his control of the play through the centre and Paddy Kenna was also never far from the action. Echuca’s forward line was unlucky to miss some scoring opportunities, but were rewarded in the end with a great goal by Jobe Murphy and a behind by Mannix Gray.

The final quarter saw both teams evenly matched, with skilful defensive play that kept both teams scoreless in the final term. Well done to Moama who took the win in a well-fought match.

Echuca’s coach’s awards went to Lachie Jeffreys, Jack Schroeter, Jordi Howe, Jimmy Kervin and Jack Millar.

– Jane Millar

Under-13 Bombers v Shepparton Swans

What a day for football and the boys made a great start with Jaxon Hogan providing first look to his onballers. The Bombers dominated the first quarter with field position and Arli Walker popped up with the game’s first goal and the Bombers took an early lead into the first break.

Mitch Sutton worked hard all day and started the second quarter with an early goal against the wind to stretch the lead. Great tackling pressure from the ‘Bull’ Kai Anderson and Paddy Oliver constantly sticking his head over the ball and winning the contest. This allowed the boys to go into half-time with a slender lead.

The third quarter began with the Swans starting to get on top and they hit the lead by powering on three unanswered goals.

Strong mark from Keoni Anderson at centre half forward gave the boys an opportunity to go forward and thankfully Flynn Carr was able to capitalise on the rare thrust forward in kicking a much-needed goal.

Star coaches Sutts and Hatty were swinging the magnets to try and get something rolling, but the Swans were outworking the Bombers.

It was much the same in the fourth quarter with Shepp running away with the game. Ollie Spring, Eden Thomson and Arley Canham continued to work hard along with the other backs to repel the onslaught, however, it was too much in the end.

Kara Spring had another light day on first aid, looking like odds on to keep that job.

Final score: Shepparton 72 d Bombers 25.

Awards: Mitch Sutton, Ollie Spring, Paddy Oliver, Blade Watson

– Kaine Anderson

Under-15 v Moama

The match of traditional rivals Moama and Echuca got off to a flying start with Echuca’s defence working overtime, led by some strong tackling from Addicott, Carr and McPherson.

Echuca’s first major came from a great kick by Oellermann from the centre that was marked by Kervin, who then kicked truly. Canham was also putting in some great tackles to keep Echuca in the match at quarter-time.

The second quarter began with the same fierce competitiveness of the first quarter with the Echuca boys showing some great skills both in the air and on the ground. Echuca’s first goal came from a great passage of play starting with a kick into the forward line from McFarlane, a kick around the body by Walker and then some great groundwork resulting in Kervin kicking another goal.

Possibly Echuca’s best play of the day came with a run through the centre by McFarlane to Fitzsimmons to Walker and onto Kervin. The play deserved a goal, but unfortunately a point was the result. Echuca stayed with Moama for much of the quarter before Moama kicked away to lead by 20 points at the main break.

Rather than giving up, Echuca came out in the second half with all guns blazing. A quick goal from Canham putting a spring in the all boys’ steps. This was followed shortly after by another six-pointer from Oellermann. Great ruck work from O’Brien and strong work by the mids had Echuca looking much stronger.

The backline continued to work hard and was highlighted by a great mark from Kenna in the last line of defence. Some strong play by Walker resulted in a great goal from Fitzsimmons. As the three-quarter time siren blew, Echuca was only 8 points in arrears and the game was certainly up for grabs.

The deciding quarter began with much of the play in Echuca’s half. Echuca’s half back line led by Canham and Carr ensured the ball didn’t get down to Moama’s goals for the first half of the quarter. McFarlane showed some great spirit with a great kick to Kervin which resulted in a point to Echuca. McFarlane again was in the play when he managed to kick his first goal for the day, before coming off injured shortly after.

With some fantastic play from O’Brien, Walker and Oellermann, Echuca hit the lead for the first time for the day and were looking like they might just steal the win from under Moama’s noses. All of Echuca’s forward line including Cunningham, Walker, Weeks and Kenna were playing well and getting plenty of the ball.

The Moama players rallied, kicking a goal to give them back the lead by four points. A great kick to Walker on the wing who had slipped away from his opponents looked to be leading to a certain Echuca goal, before an extremely unlucky ball resulted in a turnover to Moama.

Echuca had several more chances to steal back the lead, however, Moama proved too strong and came away with a 12-point victory.

Best players: Oellermann, Walker, O’Brien, McFarlane, Canham and Carr.

– Jenny Weeks

Echuca United

Under-17 v Numurkah

We returned home this week to welcome Numurkah and although they were short on numbers they certainly weren’t lacking desire.

The first two quarters were hotly contested and we made the job a lot harder with our inaccuracy. We managed to break the game open in the third term and by the final siren we had secured a comfortable but scrappy win, 14.19 (103) to 5.1 (31).

Congrats to the Numurkah boys for fighting it out. We are still searching for that four quarter consistency from week to week, so let’s make sure we get to training and continue to work hard.

Awards: Rich River Golf Club, Lenny Cook. Tarantos Pizza,- Jake Clancy. Brooklyn Barbers Echuca, Zane Martin. Snap Fitness Echuca, Hunter Beveridge. Intersport Echuca, Jackson Lewis. Hip Pocket Towel,- Alex Wagner.

– Garet Stobaus