The 11-goal Murray Bombers win was built on the back of a five-goal to one opening stanza, and from there Echuca kept the Magpies at arm’s length.
That was all built early doors on the Murray Bombers’ stifling pressure game, according to GVL Data.
Despite Euroa winning the lion’s share of the Sherrin, the Pies’ possession came constantly under pressure, as Echuca smashed the tackle count 18-9, winning the eventual battle 55-44.
The best exponent of this was Echuca’s Sam Willoughby, who wrapped up his opponents on a game-high 10 occasions.
Another factor that played into the hands of the GVL ladder leaders was their efficiency by hand and foot.
Echuca moved the ball at 66% efficiency by boot and displayed clean hands all game, with handball efficiency coming in at an impressive 85%.
This was helped by a laser-like precision game from Echuca defender Logan Prout, who from 18 disposals moved the ball at 93% by foot from 14 kicks and hit all four of his handballs.
With inaccuracy sometimes blunting Echuca’s edge, the Murray Bombers made no such mistake against the Magpies, with a clinical 16.6 in front of goal.
On the other hand, Euroa’s 58% kicking efficiency stymied several passages of play for the home side at Memorial Oval, and a final score of 5.10 (40) indicated a wayward Magpies front half.
At ground level, Echuca’s prime movers were far too quick on the draw, winning the ground-ball gets 100-81.
This is where the returning Mitch Wales and his midfield partner Andrew Walker came into their element, collecting eight and 10 ground-ball gets respectively.
Echuca vs Euroa
194 Disposals 198
115 Contested Possessions 138
91 Uncontested Possessions 92
72 Marks 77
55 Tackles 44
34 One-percenters 41
Game-highs
Clearances Andrew Bell, Euroa (10)
Disposals Andrew Bell, Euroa (29)
Tackles Sam Willoughby, Echuca (10)
Marks Andrew Smith, Echuca (10)
Contested Possessions Andrew Bell, Euroa (15)
Goals Ruory Kirkby, Echuca (4.0)
Contested Marks Andrew Smith and Ruory Kirkby (5)
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