Murray Bombers into another grand final after Ky blitz

At one stage in the fourth term, the Murray Bombers led the contest by as much as 90 points, with their spot in the big dance effectively secure after a dominant first half.

Echuca kicked five of the game’s first six goals, leading 34-7 towards the end of the first quarter before Ky found its feet, trimming the margin back to 21 points at the first change.

But Simon Maddox’s side would re-establish its earlier dominance in the second period, a quarter that saw largely one-way traffic.

After an Aidan Robinson goal for the Bombers midway through the term kept the margin at 21, Echuca flexed its muscles in devastating fashion.

It piled on five unanswered majors to close the first half, taking a 12.7 (79) to 4.4 (28) lead into half-time.

“I thought they (Kyabram) had a 10- or 12-minute period where it was on their terms; they had a couple of shots on goal, but they kicked points, so they weren’t able to bridge that gap,” Echuca coach Maddox said.

“Then I thought for the last probably seven or eight minutes of the quarter, we got it on our terms, and we were actually able to score.

“If they had been able to kick two or three goals, all of a sudden, they’re only 10 points down or less, so I thought that was a really crucial time in the game that our defence stood up.

“We defended really, really well even though they had a lot of the ball. We just didn’t leak any goals on the scoreboard.”

The Murray Bombers didn’t let up after the main break, booting seven of the game’s next eight majors, which included holding Kyabram to just three behinds in the third quarter.

The Bombers did end the game by booting the final three majors, but it was only consolation as Echuca ran out a comfortable 19.13 (127) to 8.11 (59) winner.

“It’s good when everything goes to plan,” Maddox said.

“Obviously, you’ve got to win games of footy when things don’t go to plan, but when it goes to plan, and we play good footy it makes things a lot easier.

“We came to play, were switched on right from the start. We got off to a good start and things fell into place from there.”

When asked about who he thought stood out in the win, Maddox said 14 or 15 players were worthy of a special mention.

But the coach did feel that Liam Tenace’s ruck work nullified the impact of key Bomber Zachary Norris, and credited William Deutsher and Curtis Townrow’s defensive efforts.

Midfield trio Sam Reid, Jackson Stewart and Jack Evans were also able to dominate at the contest and provide the side with first use of the ball.

Considering Kyabram was one of only two sides that defeated Echuca this year, the result was particularly impressive.

Maddox felt that on this occasion the Murray Bombers brought a different mindset into the fixture.

“Last time we played, we couldn’t move from second spot; they were playing to hold their spot in the finals,” he said.

“I think we came [in] playing like we didn’t have a lot to play for; this week it was a grand final spot on the line.

“We played a lot more desperate this time.”

The Murray Bombers’ personnel was slightly different from the last meeting on July 25, with Echuca having taller options in its forward line.

Maddox also acknowledged that key Kyabram defender Jason Morgan going off early had an impact.

Ky will now play Shepparton Bears in a preliminary final after the latter defeated Mooroopna by 21 points in an elimination semi-final on Saturday.

Echuca will await the winner of that contest as it enjoys a week off.

It will go into the grand final with confidence, with either outcome in the preliminary encounter delivering a side the Murray Bombers have not only just beaten, but in convincing fashion.