Gallery | Shepparton Swans and Echuca go down to wire as junior deciders are set
The Goulburn Murray Junior League football finals reached fever pitch at the weekend as young guns from across the region vied for a spot in the grand final of their respective division and age groups.
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It was preliminary final weekend, with four do-or-die clashes presenting the final opportunity to enter Sunday’s deciders.
In the under-14 division one section, Echuca Bombers have risen from a losing record season to charge into the season’s final match.
Echuca overcame its inter-club counterpart the previous week and defeated Shepparton Swans by a crushing 46 points, 8.14 (62) to 2.4 (16), at Tatura Park on Sunday.
The Bombers will face Shepparton in the grand final at Deakin Reserve on Sunday at 10am, a mighty challenge for the bottle green outfit with the Bears yet to lose a game – although the weekend shows Echuca’s 4-6 record means next to nothing this finals series.
Meanwhile in division two of the under-14s, Wandong defeated Broadford by 57 points, 12.12 (84) to 4.3 (27), to book a grand final date with Shepparton United at Seymour’s Kings Park, the first bounce at 2.15pm on Sunday.
In division two of the under-16s, Shepparton United overcame its kicking woes of the qualifying final to defeat Broadford comprehensively, 11.10 (76) to 7.3 (45).
The Demons had a full team performance with nine individual goal-kickers en route to victory, with their grand final clash dated for Sunday against Moama at Deakin Reserve, beginning at noon.
In the under-16 division one, Shepparton Swans emerged victorious in a one-goal thriller against Echuca.
Four goals to burgeoning star Sol Zak paved the path to a grand final entrance, but it didn’t come easy, Echuca challenging the Swans but ruing inaccuracy in front of goal, final scores 9.6 (60) to 7.12 (54).
News photographer Rechelle Zammit captured the intense preliminary final fight at Tatura Park, with the Swans to now prepare for minor premier Kyabram at Deakin Reserve on August 23, starting at 2.30pm.