Echuca aims for retribution to exorcise round one demons against Tatura

By Liam Nash

Jul 6, 2023

On target: Echuca's Bianca Willis shoots for another goal. Photo by Steve Huntley

When Echuca’s A-grade outfit arrives on the main court at Tatura Park on Saturday, setting the record straight will be front of mind.

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A heavily fancied Murray Bombers side which had likely been stewing on a stinging elimination final exit from the previous September was gnashing its teeth to put the disappointing finish to the 2022 campaign to bed in round one this season.

Tatura had other ideas.

The Bulldogs began their captivating Goulburn Valley League A-grade run that day with a 22-goal victory over Echuca at Victoria Park, shocking the favourite in a defeat not many would have predicted.

This time around Belinda Lees’ side won’t go in with a shred of complacency, knowing full well Tatura is one of the competition’s ‘‘it’’ teams to watch out for.

Tatura was minutes away from toppling Mooroopna in a 39-37 cracker last weekend, but still holds the edge over Echuca by two points in a hotted up finals bracket.

The Murray Bombers are no slouches either, having won four of their past five outings, the latest a 60-23 thumping of Mansfield.

All factors considered, the match at Tatura Park is rightly billed as the game of the round amid a swag of eyebrow-raising fixtures.

Another clash worth catching will transpire at Deakin Reserve.

Shepparton plays host to Mooroopna in a sixth-versus-first match up, but the disparity between the teams is not as clear cut as it may appear.

The Bears have earned some impressive scalps this season and possess the not-so-secret weapon of Jane Cook, the 201cm goaler capable of winning games on her lonesome.

A 19-goal loss was delivered to Shepparton by Euroa in round 11, but the Bears seem a lock for finals with the side not set to play another top six outfit after the Cats until Seymour in round 18.

At Princess Park, Shepparton United requires four points to entertain the idea of appearing in September’s post-season action.

The Demons are two wins behind Shepparton with Rochester for company on 20 points, and need to hit their straps to brush Shepparton Swans (ninth) aside on their home court.

Kyabram returns to the Hangar to face Rochester and, like Shepparton United, the Tigers cannot afford a defeat if a finals berth is on the cards.

Around the courts, Seymour will look to deliver Mansfield its 12th straight loss of the season, while Euroa hits the road to take on a 1-10 Benalla side.