Gallery | Echuca claims under-18 decider thanks to dominant five-goal last quarter

Led by an inspirational Darchi Clarke and a classy Hugh Byrne, the pair finished with the best-on medals, Echuca pulled away to steal a 19-point win over the Swans and to rubber stamp a treble of flags in the Goulburn Valley League under-18 competition.

Just like the club’s stars from the 2018 and ’19 deciders, Echuca’s 2022 crop dug deep to find an extra reserve at the last break.

Premiership winning coach Leo Tenace said he called on his young crop of stars to believe in themselves.

“I just told them to use their dare,” the Echuca mentor said.

“We’ve been good at finishing games off and when we’ve been challenged we’ve always responded.

“I had a bit of faith in them. They’re a rowdy bunch, but they’re a good bunch.”

What came next was a flurry of goals that stunned the Swans.

“That was very satisfying, especially having the last few years off as well as a compromised season,” Tenace said.

“We knew these sides would come at us hard and we knew it was going to be really pointy at the end. It got pointy, we stuck fat, and we got through.”

Clarke rose to the occasion for the Murray Bombers, but the Swans had their own standout performer across the four quarters.

Star on-baller Joeve Cooper (three goals) did everything he could to steer the Swans to victory, but he needed more support late when the game was on the line.

Cooper impressed with his intercept marks, one huge grab in the second term in particular, while he hit the scoreboard with crucial goals.

Enrique Goggin and Christian Georgiou were two Swans that battled hard across half-back, while Max Clohesy was crucial through the midfield.

But the day belonged to Echuca and its young brigade.

Clarke led by example with efforts that win premierships.

The speedster pulled off two eye-catching run down tackles and got on the end of two final quarter goals — with his third major of the game sealing the win.

It delivered him the Freddo McMahon Medal for best afield.

Byrne was a standout with his aerial prowess all game and kicked the first major of the last term.

The athletic tall was awarded the AFL Vic Country Medal for his efforts.

The defensive six for Echuca held its own all day, while key forward Max Hagan (two goals) did enough early to keep his side in the contest.

“Hugh Byrne was huge for us down the line,” Tenace said.

“We can’t forget the pressure that Sam Edgar and Darchi put on and they were phenomenal through the middle.

“Darchi’s last quarter was unbelievable.”