With a week off following two big wins to open its Goulburn Valley League senior football premiership defence, Echuca will face a solid test in round three when it comes up against Mooroopna at Vic Park.
Over the past two seasons, the Cats have tested the Murray Bombers on two occasions, handing the side its only defeat in the 2022 premiership year, while also coming within five points in the final round of the home-and-away season last year.
Each entering round three with unblemished records, how do the two sides compare so far this season?
Mooroopna wins a lot of the ball, the most in the competition in fact, averaging 388.5 disposals per game, over 50 more than Echuca (331).
The Cats also win more clearances (45 to 37) and contested possessions (145 to 129) per game, proving themselves a tough side to come up against at stoppages.
Echuca leads the way across the competition in terms of marks. However, averaging 115.5 per game ahead of Mooroopna’s 110.5, while finding 22 marks inside 50 each time it has stepped onto the field this season, compared to 15.5 from the Cats.
The Murray Bombers also get the ball into attack more frequently, going inside 50 on 50.5 occasions, which results in a goal 41 per cent of the time, while Mooroopna averages less forays forward (47.5) and convert at a lower rate (36%).
Echuca’s overall pressure also outstrips the Cats, with the Murray Bombers averaging a rating of 158 per game, compared to Mooroopna’s 148.5.
The contest also looks set to be a high-scoring one, with the two sides averaging the biggest totals across the league, with Echuca averaging 20.5 goals per game in its opening two rounds, with Mooroopna not far behind with 17 per outing.
Echuca vs Mooroopna
2024 season averages
Disposals: 331 to 388.5
Clearances: 37 to 45
Contested possessions: 129 to 145
Marks: 115.5 to 110.5
Marks inside 50: 22 to 15.5
Inside 50s: 50.5 to 47.5
Overall pressure: 158 to 148.5
Goals per game: 20.5 to 17