Echuca beats Kyabram to claim GV title
For the second time in their history, Echuca has claimed back-to-back premierships in the Goulburn Valley league. Will the premiership be the last match for two ex-AFL players?
Former Carlton player and Echuca player/coach Andrew Walker will contemplate his playing future after he celebrates another grand final success with the Mighty Bombers.
If this is the last game of football for the 37-year-old it was the perfect way to go out after Echuca claimed back-to-back premierships by 36 points against Kyabram in the GV league decider at Shepparton on Sunday.
In a devastating third quarter, the reigning premiers flexed their muscles to blow the Bombers away and secure the clubs seventh premiership in the competition.
The side, down by five points at the main break, kicked eight goals to one to lead by 39 points at the final change.
The quarter stunned a Kyabram side who were well in the contest throughout the first half.
The last quarter was party time for the Mighty Bombers as the team went on to win 15.13 (103) to 9.13 (67).
A couple of late goals to Kyabram made the margin more respectable after Echuca led by 52 points at one stage in the final term.
Echuca has now won 39 of their past 41 matches in the competition in what is starting to become a dynasty in the competition.
But the question remains will Walker be part of it next year as a player/coach, or as just a coach?
He is committed to coaching next year but a playing decision will be made in the next month or two.
“I’m about to drink 40 stubbies and have a bloody good night,” he said after the game.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead but I felt pretty good today so we’ll see how we go.”
Walker said the team didn’t reinvent the wheel at half time, instead backing the process which had helped the team throughout the year.
Echuca was leading key statistics but just had not put it on the scoreboard.
“We just said stick to what we were doing,” Walker revealed.
“At half time it was 33-19 forward 50 entries our way.
“We had reasonable good ball movement up until going inside forward 50 (in the first half).
“We’re a very fit side, young and enthusiastic and when we get our ball movement going it makes it very hard for teams to go along with us.
“But I’m just thrilled with the way they respond.
“A good side is a team who responds when the chips are down and we did that in spades all season.”
In a scary prospect for other GV sides the Mighty Bombers under-18 team won their fourth premiership in succession, beating the Shepparton Swans.
The talent pool and the determination of the team could lead to more premierships in the future.
“We’re a good bunch of Echuca boys who are just fighting for the jumper,” Walker said.
“We can tell them to jump off the Echuca-Moama bridge and they will do it.
“The mateship and the camaraderie here is next level.”
Echuca midfielder Sam Willoughby won both the Wilf Cox Medal and AFL Country Medal as the best player on the ground.
It is the second year he has done it.
“I’ve just got too much energy I think and grand finals get me up and about,” Willoughby said after the game.
“I felt like I went all right,” Willoughby said.
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“I dropped out of it a little bit in the third there but I wasn’t too worried about my performance as the team was playing well so that was the main thing.”
In a fantastic day for the Mighty Bombers their netball A-grade team were also victorious, beating Euroa 35-31 to claim the premiership.
In the men’s reserves, Shepparton United beat Seymour by 13 points to claim the title.
Originally published as Echuca beats Kyabram to claim GV title
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