Echuca marks hoisting of flag with rout of Demons

Co-coach Simon Maddox was understandably happy with the result, even if there were a few aspects to the game he thought his side could tidy up.

“I thought the boys played really well,” he said.

“There were elements to the game that we'd like to do better. I thought United were really good in the third quarter.

“But home crowd, first game back at home, unfurling the flag, win by 100 points, you can't ask for much more.”

Indicative of the winning culture that has been instilled at Victoria Park, the group’s post-match address noted the success that was being celebrated on Saturday in raising the flag and duly embraced it, but didn’t shy away from the fact there was work to be done.

Without wanting to be over-critical, given the Murray Bombers won by close to 100 points, Maddox said there were a few areas which will come under review during the week.

“To United's credit, I thought they won a lot of clearance,” he said.

“I know Kane (Morris) went down and didn't play after the second quarter, but when we were on top of the stoppages, we didn't win the game of footy.

“We lost (Sam) Reid, we lost Morris, but there were opportunities for other blokes to step up and really come to the fore there, and after that the stoppages were pretty even, so that's one area we can really improve.

“Our kicking inside 50 I didn't think helped Gus (Angus Byrne) and Hughie (Hugh Byrne) and Liam Tenace out too much today. They got numbers back at times and I thought we weren't overly smart about it.

“We'll have a look during the week and do our review and have a look at the areas we think we can improve, but yeah, I thought even though we won by 100 points there were still some areas that we can sharpen up.”

That being said, it was still a masterful showing from a side that has proved itself to be the benchmark of the competition.

The Murray Bombers kicked away from the first bounce to take a 29-point margin to the first break and stretched it at every change from there on out.

Both Logan Prout and Cameron Valentine were among the best for a second consecutive week, patrolling the half-back line with intent and stopping any Demons attempts to advance, as was Byrne who was once again prominent up forward with three goals.

Riley Smith earned a spot among the most influential with two majors of his own, while Jack McHale put in a strong showing through the middle.

Maddox was complimentary of his side’s ball movement, while also praising a number of players who took the field in unfamiliar positions.

“Some of our ball movement was really good, particularly the second quarter we moved the ball really swift, really well, played to our game plan,” he said.

“We played a couple of blokes in a couple of different spots, Mitchy Wales played in the back pocket and I thought he played really well. A.J. (Aiden) Mills played on the wing, which we haven't done before, and I thought he played really well on the wing.

“So, a couple of boys in a couple of different spots, added another string to their bow and opened our eyes to a couple of things as well, so in that regard that was really pleasing.”

Echuca faces an early season bye next week, which Maddox said would be a welcome relief ahead of a tough fortnight following the break.

“We played two practice games leading into this, so we've actually played four games in a row,” he said.

“It's probably a good little freshen up actually leading into Mooroopna and Euroa after the bye.

“We'll probably have a light night on Tuesday night and then train really hard Thursday, have a good solid session, and then see what the weekend looks like after that.”