AFL draft prospect Cody Walker likely played his last game in Echuca colours for the forseeable future on Saturday, as the Murray Bombers were defated by Kyabram in Goulburn Valley League football. Photos: Jordan Townrow
Echuca wasn’t able to mark the return of highly-touted AFL draft prospect Cody Walker with a victory in round 15 of its Goulburn Valley League football season.
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The Murray Bombers went down by 19 points to Kyabram at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, with a slow start being their undoing.
Echuca’s William Deutsher with the kick.
Kyabram jumped out to a hot start in the first quarter, after Echuca kicked the first goal of the game, the Bombers took full control with five unanswered majors, going into quarter-time with a commanding 31-7 lead.
Simon Maddox’s team showed a better account of itself in the second term as the floodgates opened in the goal-scoring department at both ends.
Malik Gordon takes the chest mark.
A total of 10 majors were kicked in the period, Echuca’s six edging Ky’s four.
Two consecutive Murray Bombers goals to close the first half had reduced the deficit to two straight goals at half-time, Echuca trailing 7.4 (46) to 9.4 (58).
Luke Edwards celebrates a goal.
Scoring slowed after the main break, with the first major of the third quarter not coming until midway through the period via Malik Gordon, who had suddenly brought Echuca to within a goal after its earlier 24-point deficit.
But Kyabram, looking to solidify its place in the top six, regrouped and finished the quarter the stronger.
Malik Gordon and Kyabram’s Jason Morgan contest the aerial ball.
The visitors kicked three consecutive goals to quickly run their lead back up to 25 at three-quarter time.
Makai Cronin progresses forward with the ball.
A goal from Bombers skipper Aidan Robinson midway through the fourth quarter, which put Kyabram up by 31, effectively ruled out the possibility of an Echuca comeback.
Aiden Mills watches the ball onto his boot.
A pair of late goals for the Murray Bombers ultimately proved cosmetic in the grand scheme of things, as Echuca fell to a costly 11.8 (74) to 14.9 (93) defeat.
Aiden Mills and Riley Ironside in the marking contest.
With Shepparton defeating Shepparton Swans at Princess Park, the Bears moved a game clear of Echuca (13-2) at the top of the ladder.
Hudson Kellett handballs under pressure from Oscar Dixon.
With three matches remaining it would take an almighty collapse for Maddox’s side to drop any lower than second.
Cody Walker tackles Cooper Fawcett.
But it will likely need a favour from either Benalla, Kyabram or Rochester — Shepparton’s final three opponents — to finish as the minor premier.
Malik Gordon kicks for goal.
Of course, the Murray Bombers would also need to return to winning ways themselves, with Seymour being their next opponent at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
Cody Walker was named in Echuca’s best players on his return.
Sitting in third and looming as a potential post-season opponent for Echuca, the Lions won the last meeting between the two sides in round seven.
The Game
Echuca: 1.1, 7.4, 8.5, 11.8 (74)
Kyabram: 5.1, 9.4, 12.6, 14.9 (93)
Goals
Echuca: Malik Gordon 5, William Deutsher 2, Makai Cronin, Luke Edwards, Jack Evans, Liam Gronow
Kyabram: Aidan Robinson 4, Thomas Burnett 2, Reuben Rode 2, Isaiah Scobie 2, Charlie Barnett, Riley Ironside, Zachary Norris, Jack Russell
Best
Echuca: Malik Gordon, Baxter Slater, Aiden Mills, Harry Milburn, Cody Walker
Kyabram: Jason Morgan, Kaine Herbert, Brad Whitford, Jack Russell, Reuben Rode
6°C