After a three-week break the Echuca-Moama United AFL Masters (EMUs) were keen to get back on the park against Macedon Ranges Wombats.
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A full-strength side was named with an extended bench of 10 players, so confidence was high.
By 2pm the bench had been decimated with numerous players pulling out for various reasons.
All reports suggest the weather was not a factor in this, but that cannot be proven.
Providing further issues for the coaching team was the misplacement of the team board and player name magnets.
Once a replacement was sourced and names added, things became clearer for the coaches and the EMUs hit the first bounce with three players on the bench, even able to lend a player to the opposition to ensure an even numbered contest.
Well done to Adam Richter who time and again does this, showing true Masters footy spirit.
The Wombats started strongly, kicking the first two behinds before the EMUs settled and started to use the footy with more composure.
It still took most of the quarter before the first goal was kicked by captain Troy Ramsey.
The back line settled and the rest of the quarter was played in the EMUs’ attacking half, but the scoreboard did not reflect this.
Positional changes during the break saw the EMUs start the second strongly, continuing their territory dominance and finally getting reward for effort, kicking two goals.
Then the carnage started.
With three game-ending injuries to key players within the space of five minutes, Sharon the trainer was really tested for the first time this season.
She worked tirelessly assisting the injured players and didn’t miss a beat, happily chatting to anyone that would listen to her throughout.
This meant no bench for coach Lucas Walker and some serious discussions.
In this time, the Wombats lifted, kicking a goal and applying pressure to the EMU defence for a sustained period.
However, the EMUs’ defence held strong, led by John “Kingy” Arthur at CHB without his fellow defender Drew Elliott, who seemed to forget he was a defender and ended up attacking in the forward line.
As a result, Wombats loan player Richter was free to lead out and take a big mark over defender Damo Hammond.
This I’m sure will be discussed later in the season.
Fortunately for Hammond and the EMUs he could not convert and it appears he temporarily forgot he was playing for the Wombats as he hit EMU player Craig Danswan with a centimetre-perfect pass rather than kicking a goal.
At half-time and only two goals up, the EMUs managed to find another player with club president Jon Beach pulling on the boots even though he had been struggling with injury over the past few weeks.
While he had zero impact on the game, amassing zero possessions, laying zero tackles and kicking zero goals, he did hold up an opposition player and enabled other players to move more freely, giving those who were working hard across the ground a rest.
This was all the EMUs needed and they finally got reward for effort in the third, kicking five unanswered goals and blowing the game wide open.
Tanner Christie was influential at CHF clunking marks and there was even some look at me time from the normally reserved big fella, with a snap round the body goal followed by an excessive celebration.
Matt Vietch had a massive quarter, kicking three of his five goals for the day, but what was most pleasing for the coach was the run and carry, the playing to team structures and smart ball use across the ground that finally all came together at the same time, resulting in a dominant quarter for the EMUs.
The Wombats were not done yet, testing the EMUs right to the final siren.
Once again, the defence held strong and the EMUs were able to transition the footy and kick three more goals late in the game.
Vietch, appearing to be suffering from leather poisoning, moved into the goalsquare late in the game and had the opportunity to kick even more, but missed out on kicking half-a-dozen.
He was clearly the EMUs’ standout player of the day, but there were many others who performed well in what the coach described as the EMUs’ most even spread of good performances for the season.
At the final siren the EMUs were just too strong for an undermanned Wombats and they got to sing the song for only the second time this season.
This time we had the words printed and ready for the newer players and just as they were about to belt out the song, Bruce “Jonesy” McCahon decided it would be a great idea to dump a load of jumpers on the printout.
This sealed the Echuca Stihl Shop Tool of the Week award for Jonesy after he also failed to register a score with a shot from no more than 10m out.
Echuca EMUs 11.9 (75) defeated Macedon Ranges Wombats 2.4 (16).
As with all Vic Country AFL Masters footy, it is never the result that is important.
It is the fun had by the players, the mateship formed and the opportunity provided to people who love AFL footy and might be too old to play seniors, but still want to have a kick, people that may have never played footy before and want to give it a go or simply people that want to have fun and stay fit.
The masters footy spirit was clear to see on Saturday, not only on the field but throughout the day.
With so many wives, girlfriends and kids of players from both sides watching the game and enjoying some food and drinks afterwards in the rooms, it was a perfect example of what Masters footy clubs should be about.
Awards
Echuca Workers Club Best On - Matt Vietch.
Caledonian Hotel - Drew Elliott.
Moama Bowling Club - Jesse Cutriss.
Dominoes Pizza - John “Kingy” Arthur.
KFC - Tanner Christie.
Oarsome Fitness - Josh Hunter.
Echuca Stihl Shop Tool of the Week - Bruce “Jonesy” McCahon.
EMUs “Burn ya mates” - Jesse Cutriss for not winning the $500 prize for the footy trip in the sprint at the MND fundraiser at Rich River Golf Club recently.
Goal kickers - Vietch 5, Christie 3, Ramsey, Hunter, Elliott.
The EMUs' next game is on July 4, away against the Murray Crays who will be keen to reverse the score from our first encounter earlier in the season.
As always, transport to games is available on our bus and these bus trips are legendary in EMU folklore.
If you think the EMUs and Masters Footy is something you would like to try out, training is every Wednesday from 6pm at Echuca South Oval, new members (playing or non-playing) are always welcome.
For more information, please visit www.echuca.viccountrymasters.com or contact/follow us on Facebook at Echuca Moama United Masters Football Club.