The second semi-finals, in Kyabram on Saturday, will be for a place in the grand finals, while the loser will take on the winner of the first semi-finals, held in Seymour on Sunday.
Five Echuca sides could secure a place in the grand final with wins, while another looks to advance to a preliminary final.
Echuca’s senior football and A-grade netball sides have both made their way into Saturday’s qualifying finals, although the two sides have taken different paths to get there.
Senior football
As has been the norm over the past three seasons, Echuca has dominated the senior football competition, the Murray Bombers blistering attack and miserly defence prevalent from round one.
The champions haven’t always been at their best, and the absence of a number of key players has lowered their ceiling at times, but Echuca has rarely been truly challenged this year.
The two sides with dreams of taking the kings off their throne are Shepparton Bears and Rochester, with the Tigers the Murray Bombers upcoming opponents on Saturday.
Rochester has been a revelation this season and punctuated an impressive start to its campaign by handing Echuca its only loss back in round five.
Shepparton, on the other hand, has yet to prevail over the minor premier but led for much of the pairs’ qualifying final last weekend.
The Bears must get past the challenge of Mooroopna if they wish to advance to a preliminary final meeting with the Echuca/Rochester loser.
As it has seemed for most of the year, the fate of the championship looks to be in the Murray Bombers’ hands, and if they can maintain their level throughout the final three weeks, we could very well be looking at a third straight flag flying at Victoria Park.
A-grade
Also out to defend its crown is Echuca’s netball side which has been back to its metronomic best after a shaky early part of the season.
The Murray Bombers were missing some key pieces in the early weeks, and it led to a 1-3 start to their premiership defence.
However, since the line-up has returned to normal, Echuca has been unbeaten, the closest it came to defeat being a draw against Tatura in round nine.
Having dispatched Seymour at the weekend, the Murray Bombers now have a chance to return to grand final day if they can get past Mooroopna on Saturday.
The Cats were one of the sides to pounce on a weakened Echuca in the opening weeks, thrashing the Murray Bombers 65-23 in round three.
The champions reversed that scoreline in the return fixture, prevailing 43-29.
Lower grades
Echuca is well-represented across the grades, with the club’s football sides all poised for grand final visits.
In the reserves, The Murray Bombers have outdone their senior counterparts with a perfect 18-0 regular season record.
After defeating Rochester at the weekend, the side now squares up to Seymour on Saturday with a grand final spot up for grabs.
Echuca’s thirds are also in a strong position, having lost just once this year, with Shepparton Swans the only obstacle between the Murray Bombers and a grand final berth.
In netball, Echuca’s minor premiership under-15s got by Mooroopna at the weekend and will now battle Mansfield on Saturday.
The Murray Bombers under-17 side negotiated an elimination final against Rochester in their last fixture, and face elimination again against Shepparton Bears on Sunday.
Echuca’s GVL finals (week two)
Saturday, September 7 — Kyabram Recreation Reserve
Netball
Under-15: Echuca vs Mansfield, 9.15am
A-grade: Echuca vs Mooroopna, 2.15pm
Football
Under-18: Echuca vs Shepparton Swans, 9.30am
Reserves: Echuca vs Seymour, noon
Seniors: Echuca vs Rochester, 2.30pm
Sunday, September 8 — Kings Park, Seymour
Under-17 netball: Echuca vs Shepparton, 10.30am
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