GVL | Gallery | Echuca completes reserves redemption story with thumping triumph over Kyabram

Three years later, the Murray Bombers finally tasted premiership glory, accounting for minor premier Kyabram by 28 points in Sunday’s grand final at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve.

Fittingly, this time around it was Echuca’s accuracy in front of goal that set up the 11.7 (73) to 6.9 (45) victory, kicking five majors before registering a behind to give itself an early lead — one it never surrendered.

Jed Brereton was the star for the Murray Bombers, producing a dominant performance in the ruck to claim the Peter Ryan Medal as the best player on the ground.

For coach Troy Murphy the result served as the culmination of three years of hard work and he was filled with joy and relief when the final siren sounded.

“It is a pretty sweet feeling,” Murphy said.

“We lost in 2019 when I thought we had a good enough side to win it, then last year as well we were in a great spot before COVID-19 nipped that in the bud.

“But all the boys stuck together, we kept working hard and got the reward — the overwhelming result for me is relief.”

It was the Callum Parsons show in the early stages, with the mercurial small forward booting the first two goals to give his side the perfect start.

The Murray Bombers made their dominance count around the goals, opening up a critical 23-point advantage at the first change.

Well and truly shell-shocked at the start of the second term, Brereton inflicted more pain on the Bombers, with a 50m penalty extending the lead past five goals.

But Kyabram showed why it claimed the minor premiership, settling into the contest late in the second term — with Mitch Dodos the catalyst, helping shave the margin back to three goals at the main change.

The first goal of the second half was always going to be telling, as Kyabram started the third term pressing hard.

Echuca’s defence was resolute, not letting Kyabram score and setting up the counter attack that lead to Aaron Lonergan kicking a tough set shot.

Breaking a 10-minute dead-lock, Echuca dealt Kyabram a hammer blow on the three-quarter-time siren, with Fraser Brooks nailing a goal from outside 50 to extend the lead past five goals.

Urged by coach Murphy to not go into their shells in the final quarter, the Murray Bombers kept the pressure on.

And while Kyabram kept the margin from blowing out, it was party time for the boys in bottle green in the final term, with majors to Jack Tenace, Rab Guinan and Ryan Campbell rubber stamping the premiership victory.

Murphy said the result spoke to the strength of the club and made for a bright future at Victoria Park.

“I’ve been at a lot of footy clubs over the journey, but none compare to how strong this one is from top to bottom,” he said.

“There are about 15 blokes in our side that could walk into the seniors and contribute and, with the under-18s winning the flag as well, Echuca is a great spot to be right now.”