Fast forward 12 months and it will be the same two teams that battle it for the Goulburn Valley League A grade crown. Echuca and Euroa are the two teams left after 18 home and away rounds and three weeks of finals.
The reigning premier is refreshed and ready to go while last year’s runner-up is on fire with plenty of momentum going into the big dance.
They accounted for Shepparton by 14 goals in the first semi-final and then backed it by knocking out minor premier Mooroopna for a second straight season in the preliminary final.
The Magpies started slow and were down by four goals at the first break. A strong second quarter saw them in the lead by two goals at the main break.
And, they were able to continue to build their lead with a strong second half, winning by 16 goals to set up what should be a cracking game in the grand-final.
Echuca has won 11 straight games after its round 9 draw with Tatura. Euroa has won eight of its past 12 games in the back half of the season. The teams have played each other twice with a win apiece.
In saying that, the last meeting between the teams was late in the season where Echuca got the better of Euroa by 18 goals.
Most of the match-ups across the court promise to be mouth-watering.
Lauren Jones and Ash Mangan v Olivia Morris and Mia Sudomirski.
Ellie Warnock and Tylah Marchbank v Belinda Lees and Holly Chadwick. Steph Vick v Kellie Davidson. Greta Pearson v Hollie Reid. Lilly Devlin v Sophie Owen.
The team’s two benches will have a role, but I doubt that the starting 7 of both teams will change much other than some movement of the magnets by the coaches to different positions on the court.
Euroa has the best attack in the competition and Echuca the second-best defence, only behind the vanquished Mooroopna.
I am a firm believer that defence is where premierships are won and lost.
If the Murray Bombers can do that well then that will go a long way to helping them to back-to-back titles.
There is no doubt that the Magpies will want to right the wrongs of 2023.
And the hunger and motivation won’t be the issue.
It will be a case of whether they can use the disappointment of last year and turn it in to what drives them to get to the top of the mountain in the big dance.
This game will no doubt have many momentum swings.
And, the team who can execute the key moments late in the match will win the title.
For mine, this will be worth every bit of the entry fee to watch these two great teams battle it out for the tag of 2024 champion.
I am going for Echuca to win a thriller.
Tip: Echuca.
