Top effort: Echuca co-captain Kane Morris made an instant impact in his return to the field at the weekend. Photo: Megan Fisher
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Megan Fisher
Echuca got back to its winning ways at the weekend with a solid 36-point triumph over Mansfield at Victoria Park.
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It was a statement of intent from the first bounce delivered by the Murray Bombers, who rebounded brilliantly from a shock loss to Rochester in round five by putting together a ferocious first term against the Eagles.
The reigning premier burst out of the blocks to put 6.4 (40) on the board while restricting Mansfield to just one behind, dominating every facet of the game for the first half-hour.
Echuca won the disposal count by 46 in the first term, with its 89 touches more than double Mansfield’s (43), while also showing a hard edge to win both the contested possession count (37-24) and clearances (17-6) convincingly.
Controlling possession, the Murray Bombers took 27 uncontested marks in the first quarter, whereas the Eagles took just five, while being able to pump the ball inside forward 50 on 15 occasions for seven marks, with Mansfield managing just five entries for no marks.
While Echuca turned the ball over more (17 to 14), Mansfield was unable to make them pay, scoring just one behind, whereas the Murray Bombers put 4.3 (27) on the board from that source.
All aboard the Kane train
Echuca co-captain Kane Morris returned for his first game since facing Mooroopna, and the ruckman made his presence felt immediately.
The big man had 19 disposals and 34 hit-outs, while also taking seven marks, six of which were intercepts, as he helped Echuca to the win.
Add five contested possessions, two inside-50s, two tackles and five score involvements, and Morris’ game earned him 129 ranking points, finishing as the second-highest ranked Murray Bomber behind Jack McHale (155).
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