Outgoing coach Paul Newman calls on players to ‘stick together’ following grand final loss

Although the multiple premiership-winning coach won’t be there to see his charges chase glory next season, he hoped the youngsters would stick fat and go again.

“This is an important part of growth in young footballers,” Newman said following the 15.13 (103) to 9.13 (67) defeat.

“They have got to understand what it’s like to lose in order to know what it takes to get back there and win.

“They have to stick together and the fruits will come in a few years.

“It might take a few goes but they just need to stick with it and in a few years they’ll be ready to be a juggernaut again.”

The Bombers had no answer for Echuca’s onslaught in the third term.

Echuca piled on eight goals to one in the premiership quarter to blow the Bombers’ hopes out of the water.

“It just epitomises our other three games against them,” Newman said.

“We were there for two-and-a-half, three quarters and it’s just a lapse in that third quarter that let us down.

“It’s just good opposition that can take it to another level and we were just unable to go with them.

“I’m just proud of the group for putting themselves in that position again and I’m sure they gave a scare or two in the first half anyway.

“There’s disappointment but there’s a lot of growth and development in the group so hopefully they stick together and go again.”

Brad Whitford battled hard for the Bombers down back, while Rhys Clark, Jason Morgan, Tom Burnett and Anthony DePasquale all performed strongly.