Sam Willoughby and brother Cooper scooped the awards pool after the GVL grand final. Photo: Aidan Briggs
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Aidan Briggs
The biggest win in Goulburn Valley League grand final history is no mean feat, but that’s what Echuca accomplished against Shepparton Bears on Sunday.
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The 96-point win blew the previous largest margin of 76 out of the water and doomed the Murray Bombers’ 1995 defeat against Tatura to be lost to the annals of history.
As would be expected in such a lopsided contest, Echuca dominated in almost every metric in the decider.
The Murray Bombers were plus 81 in disposals and distributed at 70 per cent efficiency, compared to the Bears’ 64 per cent.
Echuca also obliterated the Bears 50-34 in clearances while firing forward a massive 72 inside 50s to the Bears’ 30.
Shepparton turned the ball over 89 times, including 62 in the midfield and 13 in their back 50, Echuca pouncing on the Bears’ mistakes to kick 16.15 from this source.
The sheer volume of Echuca scoring shots is also worthy of attention, 44 shots (22.22) demonstrating the overwhelming pressure the Bears’ goal was under.
Shepparton was leader in the pressure stats including pressure acts, tackles and overall pressure but such numbers are to be expected for a side chasing the ball for much of the day.
The Murray Bombers made up 11 of the top 12 ranking points earners in the contest, Shepparton’s Adam De Cicco the lone presence for the Bears, with all 11 earning over 100 points.
Willoughbys scoop silverware
Among a huge list of players who could have easily grabbed best-on-ground recognition Cooper and Sam Willoughby made their mark on the contest, each walking away with individual honours in the historic win.
Cooper grabbed the media-voted Wilf Cox medal after logging 14 disposals, three inside 50s, two tackles and three goals.
He also snagged two intercept possessions and was involved in six Murray Bombers’ scores.
Sam picked up the umpire-voted VCFL medal, making 25 disposals, seven clearances and five tackles.
He was involved in 13 Echuca scores and scooped up 10 groundball gets.
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