Nick Warnock was Benalla’s best in the loss to Echuca at the weekend.
Photo by
Karl Phillipson
Benalla has fallen to a fourth consecutive loss to start the 2025 season, going down at the hands of reigning premier Echuca by 55 points on Saturday, although the contest was much more competitive than the score suggests.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
If not for one poor quarter, the Saints were well and truly in the Goulburn Valley League contest, but ultimately the class of the Murray Bombers proved too much, as Benalla went down 9.5 (59) to 17.12 (114).
Having put together what coach Jarrad Waite described as “probably the best quarter we've had in the last two years” the previous week against Kyabram, the Saints came out fighting against Echuca, slamming through four straight goals to take an eight-point lead into the quarter-time huddle.
Jordan Wolff fires off a handball.
Photo by
Karl Phillipson
The Murray Bombers returned serve in the second term, however, with a 5.3 to 2.1 term handing them the lead of the contest at half-time, although Benalla was still hanging around, trailing 37 to 49, but showing real tenacity.
The Saints were clearly up for the fight after the main break, refusing to let Echuca run away with the contest, and while the visitors managed to extend the margin heading into the final quarter, it was only by seven points, with the Saints giving themselves a chance just 19 points behind at the final break.
But it was a bridge too far for Benalla, as the Murray Bombers unleashed a trademark final term blitz to douse any hope of a comeback, piling on six goals to none to blow out the scoreline, despite what had been a brilliant effort from the Saints for the majority of the contest.
Mark Marriott competes in the ruck against Echuca’s Darby Jones.
Photo by
Karl Phillipson
The signs of improvement from Benalla are tangible, however, with the effort sustained for a much longer period at the weekend, and barring the last term showing great resolve in defence, holding Echuca to just 49 points at half-time, the lowest total the Saints have conceded to that point all season by some margin.
Ethan Maney evades an Echuca defender.
Photo by
Karl Phillipson
While boom recruit Nathan Wright hit the scoreboard with two goals, there was less reliance on him as the sole target up forward, with both Tom O’Brien and Ryley Ely slotting two majors also, while Mark Marriott, Jordan Wolff and Hamish Willett each kicked one.
Nick Warnock continued an impressive run of form to start the year as Benalla’s best, tallying 17 disposals and 12 intercept possessions, while Marriott had 20 disposals, five tackles and four clearances in another brilliant performance.
Ryley Ely attempts to shake a tackle.
Photo by
Karl Phillipson
Chris Welsh and Nick Mellington were also among the best, both finding plenty of the ball with 29 and 23 disposals respectively, while young gun Ely showed why the Saints were so keen to have him back at the club, adding 22 touches, two clearances and four tackles to go with his two majors.
Nick Mellington is set upon by Echuca players.
Photo by
Karl Phillipson
The Saints will travel to Tatura Park to take on the Bulldogs this weekend, which presents their best opportunity this season to get on the board, especially if they can muster the same type of effort shown for the first three quarters against Echuca.
