After a slow start the visitors wore down Kyabram in a dour struggle dominated by backlines.
Kyabram’s defence, led by key men Jason Morgan and Lachie Smith and Brad Whitford, didn’t leak a goal until the 13-minute mark of the second quarter when Echuca took full command for a six-minute period to kick four goals.
Echuca seized control in the third term to kick 3.5 to 1.1 and take a handy 14-point lead into the final break. It built this margin to 19 points in the last term.
Echuca, through big ruckman Kane Morris, was able to get on top at the centre bounces as the game wore on and Liam Tenace, with three goals, was active in attack for the winners.
Ben Reid, Sam Willougby, Jack Evans and Loan Prout were also good for Echuca.
Both sides have a wealth of eager young players complemented by older wise heads and it was the established stars in Kyabram’s side in Morgan and Smith and Tom Holman who set the example for their younger teammates.
Morgan is the twilight of his illustrious career but still plays with the enthusiasm of a rookie while Smith and Holman imposed themselves on the game to not let Echuca out of their clutches.
Anthony Depasquale was again a standout among the new faces and brings another reliable target to Kyabram’s attack with his silky skills.
With goalkicking ace Kyle Mueller missing, the Bombers relied on super veteran Kayne Pettifer as the main focus in attack and he obliged with three goals, a pleasing result in the low-scoring affair.
Aidan Robinson, particularly in the ruck after half-time, stepped up again and has the height, mobility, skills and desire to develop into a match winner.
Other developing senior players in Cooper Vick, who kicked two goals, Tom Burnett and Mitch Gugliotti all showed they can stand the heat at this level.
Kyabram’s main playmaker, Zac Keogh, was off the ground with concussion for the second half, which didn’t help it chances.
Kyabram coach Paul Newman was disappointed with his team’s loss but the endeavour his players displayed.
The Bombers travel to Benalla for this Saturday’s clash.
Goulburn Valley League
Echuca 10.13 (73) def Kyabram 8.6 (54)
Echuca
Goals: Liam Tenace 3, Cooper Barber, Jackson Stewart 2, Jack Evans, Jordan Frew, Jack McHale
Best: Benjamin Reid, Kane Morris, Sam Willoughby, Logan Prout, Jack Evans
Kyabram
Goals: Kayne Pettifer 3, Cooper Vick 2, Kaine Herbert, Thomas Holman, Riley Ironside
Best: Jason Morgan, Anthony DePasquale, Lachlan Smith, Aidan Robinson, Thomas Holman
• Kyabram reserves prevailed by two points in a thriller.
Senior coach Paul Newman helped make up the numbers and the younger players walked tall during his three quarters on the ground.
Hard-running small man James Ross was the star of the win with an energetic display while reigning Abikhair Medallist Sean Dillion, his brother Liam and Noah Ryan were in the thick of it all day on the ball.
Ben Holman and Luke Donnell also turned in top games in defence while Jarad Pertzel bobbed up with vital goals.
• Kyabram thirds also met the measuring stick in Echuca and although well beaten put up a spirited fight.
‘‘Our endeavour was good but we made a lot of skill errors and some of our better players were either off their game or not feeling too well, so I wasn’t disappointed,“ coach Peter Ryan said.
Mitch Dodos was again a standout at centre half forward and Jordan O’Neill, Jack Millar and Marcus Barnagallo held up well in the backline, given the constant pressure they were under.
Miller Griffiths in attack and in the midfield also turned in another solid game.
• Kyabram Under 16s tested themselves against the best side in the competition and were not intimidated, putting up a fighting display to go down by 14 points.
Some early misses on goals were costly in the wash-up but coach Peter Hall was happy with his team’s commitment and endeavour.
‘‘We did a few undisciplined things and had our chances and played some good footy at times,’’ Hall said.
Declan Hallett in the ruck and Tyler Norman in the midfield played their best games for the season and Archie Guinan was dangerous in attack and booted five goals.
Oscar Dixon, the best of the defenders, and Cohan Hooper on the ball were other Kyabram players to show out on the day.
The young Bombers have the bye this Saturday, as Benalla doesn’t field a side in the GVL Under 16 competition.