GVL Data | Echuca working hard on the defensive end

While much focus has been given to Echuca’s strength in possession it is also worth examining how the Murray Bombers have been doing off the ball.

The champions’ league-best offense is matched by the league’s most frugal defence, Echuca conceding just 699 points so far through 14 rounds.

The Murray Bombers hold a significant ball-control advantage over the rest of the league, averaging 357.4 disposals per game compared to the 311.4 league average.

Despite being out of possession less often, Echuca is matching, and at times eclipsing the league in some key-pressure stats.

Echuca’s overall pressure of 130.2 is comparable to the league average of 130.6 and the Murray Bombers are doing better than the league in terms of chases (8.7 to 8.2) and smothers (4.9 to 4.1).

The premiers are also competitive with the league when it comes to spoils (16.3 to 16.8) and pressure acts (60.9 to 63.9).

The Murray Bombers are proving they’re not all about attacking threat, working the ball around safely when then have it.

Echuca has almost half as many back turnovers as the league average (3.6 to 6.8) and also cough up possession significantly less than the average side in the midfield (40.2 to 46.6).

McHale’s monster stat-card

Statistically significant performances are no rarity for Jack McHale, but the Murray Bombers on-baller may have outdone himself on Saturday.

McHale’s contributions can’t be overstated as Echuca bettered Mooroopna in possession stats, something that had been the Cats calling card.

The Echuca star had a phenomenal 40 disposals in the game, with 30 of those possessions contested.

Nineteen clearances are the most eye-popping of McHale’s stats, as he earned vital possessions out of the contest for the Murray Bombers.

McHale wasn’t afraid to scrap on the defensive side of the ball either, bringing down Mooroopna players with regularity and making 12 tackles.