The Echuca Football Club juggernaut may be only just warming up, despite its recent feat of winning its third Goulburn Valley League flag in succession, by a league record grand final margin of 96 points.

The scary aspect for teams trying to topple the Murray Bombers from their pedestal is that their reserves and thirds were also premiers.

Echuca even has a junior academy to nurture its most promising younger players.

It also has the population base to always field competitive teams, but it also is well-organised club, which, despite what some people think, has a heavy emphasis on promoting local products.

In fact, every player in this season’s premiership winning side can be classified as a local.

And co-coach Simon Maddox said he expects little change in Echuca’s line-up in 2025.

‘‘A couple of players are going to test themselves at VFL level, but most will be there again,’’ Maddox said.

Echuca is setting a high benchmark for rival teams as Shepparton, the second-best side in the competition this season, discovered in agonising fashion on grand final day.

Echuca’s winning 96-point margin bettered the previous most decisive grand final win, which was achieved in 1995.

In that season decider ironically it was Echuca on the losing end, downed by 76 points, by Tatura, 23.13 (151) to 10.15 (75).

***

Ever heard of a footballer called Heath Moloney?

Well, if you haven’t, you will marvel at what he has just achieved.

Playing for the Moulamein Football Club in the Golden Rivers Football League, he has just pulled off the club double — winning the club’s best and fairest awards for both the seniors and reserves teams for the 2024 season.

In fact, he played every game for the season with both teams and won both awards by big margins.

He also finished equal third in the league medal in the seniors and second in the league reserves medal.

Last year he got the most votes in the league’s senior medal but copped a one-week suspension and was not eligible to accept it.

A footy journeyman, he has spent the past four seasons with Moulamein, coaching for the first three years and getting the side into a grand final in 2022.

Moloney is a 189cm ruckman who just loves playing footy and, at 35, has no plans for retirement just yet.

***

Many football leagues have experienced an alarming drop off in attendances, particularly since COVID-19, but the Murray Football Netball League is certainly not one of them.

A record 6300 people attended the recent Murray Football Netball League grand final at Moama.

Over the season, a total of 88,000 spectators attended Murray league games, which was also a league record.

Murray league general manager Dale Norman believes Moama as the grand final venue in recent years has been a real winner for his league.

‘‘It’s a venue that attracts people from all over the region,’’ Norman said.

The Goulburn Valley League grand final crowd also topped 6000 which included the many ‘freebies’ issued to attend the game.

A total of 16,908 people attended the GVL finals series.

***

Former VFL player Jason Traianidis has been welcomed back to the Kyabram District Football Netball Club, where he took the club to the flag.

With a personal eight goals haul, he also helped Shepparton East claim the Picola league flag in 2010.

Since then, he has spent several years at Murray league club Rumbalara with roles as head coach and assistant coach.

Traianidis takes over as Redlegs coach from Daniel Clarke.

***

Seymour Football Club will have joint coaches next season.

Star player Jack Murphy has been promoted to share the role with non-playing coach Ben Davey after holding assistant coaching role for the past two seasons.

In netball, Casey Adamson, who has had stints with the now defunct Collingwood in the Super Netball League, will return home to take over as A-grade coach from recently retired Ellie Fuhrmeister.

***

Kyabram trained pacer Eye See Philtra has continued his love affair with the Shepparton track, winning again on the circuit at last week’s meeting.

The four-year-old Hes Watching gelding made it five wins on the circuit in his past 10 starts when he saluted with his regular reinsman James Herbertson in the sulky.

Eye See Philtra sat on the back of the pacemaker, the Juanita Breen-trained and driven Royal Starzzz in the run and sprint lane to win over that pacer with a PB 1.56.1 mile rate, included a 56.9 last half.

***

A reunion of the former Deniliquin Cricket Association is luring some big names.

Australia’s longest-serving T20 International player and one day Internationals skipper Aaron Finch will join current Australia cricket coach Andrew McDonald and MC for the evening, former South Australian cricketer Tim Ludeman, for the celebrations on Saturday , October 12.

Tickets at $70 which includes dinner are available at www.tryingbooking.com/events/landing/1270803?embed or at BIAS PARTNERS, 436 George St., Deniliquin.

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Sunday, 18th February 2024

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