With another big year of sport in the rearview mirror and an action-packed 2026 on the horizon, The Riv sports desk is counting down its best sport stories from the year that was.
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This is the third and final instalment of our favourite moments from epic highs and lows, inspiring journeys and career milestones from Echuca and surrounding areas.
Moama wins state pennant final
Moama was crowned the best weekend pennant side in the state after prevailing in the Champion of State Pennant competition in May.
The tournament gathered the winning weekend pennant sides from across Victoria, the Steamers earning their place by winning the Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Premier League to be the competition’s representative at the event.
Moama’s toughest game of the tournament would come in the opening round, as Frankston pushed the Steamers to the limit.
Skips Matt Robertson and Kevin Anderson would win their rinks, two of the three contested, as Moama escaped by a single shot 40-39.
The Steamers would go on to record more comfortable wins over Kyneton, Paynesville, City Warrnambool and Ocean Grove to go 5-0 in the group stage.
As both teams entered their contest undefeated, the battle with Ocean Grove was the decisive contest for the group, Moama’s 38-28 win securing its place in the final.
The Steamers would meet Traralgon, which also went undefeated in the other group, in the decider.
Moama prevailed in all three rinks in a confident 46-23 win to claim the title.
“It's unreal to be honest, it's a massive achievement for everyone involved,” team captain Anderson said.
“It's tough enough to win the Bendigo league and looking at the class that was on show at the weekend, we probably wouldn't have been favourites going in.
“We were always a chance, but it's just amazing to get it done, still hasn't quite sunk in yet, but it's been really good for the club and for everyone involved in it.”
Twelve months before Moama was runner-up at the tournament, but went one better this year, surging to its first weekend state pennant championship.
The Champion of State Pennant is the highest honour a domestic club can reach in Victoria.
Smartt picked up in AFL mid-season draft debuts for Essendon
After disappointment, changes of scenery and injury, Leitchville-Gunbower product Oskar Smartt finally found himself on an AFL list.
The 20-year-old small forward was selected by Essendon with pick 17 of the 2025 AFL mid-season draft in May, going on to debut in round 18 against Richmond.
He told the club’s media team he was left speechless after hearing the news from coach Brad Scott.
“It was nerve-racking obviously when the coach asks you to come in, but we went in, had a good chat for about 10-15, and he said I’d be debuting,” Smartt said.
“I just froze, didn’t know what to say.”
Smartt, named as ruck-rover, had a modest start to life as an AFL footballer, logging six disposals, three tackles, three inside 50s and one score involvement.
The game, where the Tigers ran over the top of the Bombers in the fourth quarter, finished 6.10 (46) to 4.13 (37) and was regarded as one of the worst AFL games this year.
Smartt went on to play a further three games for Essendon in 2025, against GWS Giants, Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans, finishing the season with 5.5 disposals, 4.3 kicks, 1.3 handballs, 1.8 marks and 2 tackles.
Smartt was delisted by the Bombers after the 2025 campaign and has signed a two-year deal with the East Freemantle Sharks.
Murray Bombers, Eagles and Magpies find grand final success
Between Echuca, Moama and Echuca United, six flags were won on grand final weekend across the Goulburn Valley League and Murray Football Netball League in September.
Moama reserves were the only local football side to bring home a flag across the two competitions, snapping a nine-year drought after beating Congupna in a tight contest.
Moama trailed the table-toppers for almost the entire game, snatching the lead off a set shot for the first time with five minutes remaining.
In those dying stages, Moama’s grit and determination in defence got it over the line, beating out The Road 4.8 (32) to 4.5 (29).
After sweeping the MNL junior netball grades two years in a row, the Magpies found more reward in 2025 taking out the 13-and-under and 15-and-under deciders.
It was a close battle between Moama’s 13-and-under side and Mulwala, with the Magpies managing to scrape past 36-34.
Moama’s 15-and-under side had a much easier time of it against Cobram, being crowned queens of the division 31-26.
Echuca United’s 17-and-under squad prevented Moama from completing the junior trifecta three years in a row, coming from behind to be crowned champions in a thriller.
In an all-time classic, the Eagles flew highest, escaping the Magpies at the death 47-46 to be named champions.
In the GVL, no football sides were present on grand final day, but Echuca’s netballers produced two winning performances at the big dance.
In the morning, Echuca’s 15-and-under contingent beat out Mooroopna in a see-sawing affair 53-50.
Later in the day, it was B-graders’ turn to perform, besting Seymour convincingly to claim the title 44-38.