Eagles fall short in solid performance against Finley

By Alexander Dabb

Jul 16, 2023

Accumulator: Echuca United’s Kynan Sharpe picks up another possession. Photo: Cathlyn Herd

It was a fast-starting Echuca United that got the jump on Finley at the weekend, heading into quarter-time with a lead of six points.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The young Eagles have shown a lot of promise so far this season, and looked like they were going to challenge the Cats all the way to the final siren.

But as has happened so often this year, a few small lapses in concentration and commitment saw Echuca United fall off the pace in the second quarter, surrendering a half-time lead of 14 points.

The Eagles remained in the hunt at three-quarter-time, just 25 points back from the Cats, but allowed the opposition to gain the upper hand early in the final term, and by then it was too late.

A late rally meant Echuca United kept the final margin to a respectable 10.9 (69) to 14.10 (94) against a much more highly fancied opposition.

Eagles coach Farran Priest was pleased with the efforts of his side, especially the final-quarter fightback, although lamented the continual lapses that eventually cost them a chance at a win.

“Finley are a top six side, they have obviously beaten some really good sides on the way through,” he said.

“We were in it for a long way of the game, which is a really positive thing. It’s just again maybe a lapse of seven to eight minutes in certain quarters that really let us down.

“Finley did get on top early in the fourth, and we could have just given up and let it get ugly, but we actually fought back, I think we got within 12 points at one stage, we just didn't finish off the game.

“We didn't really start the last quarter as well as we'd like to, but I'm not too disappointed. I was pretty happy with our efforts.”

Matthew Harris was best on for the home side, playing a defensive midfield role, while James Harney was the most prolific forward, booting five majors, while Priest slotted three on return from a calf injury.

The Eagles, who sit 11th with a 3-10 record with five games to go, are out of finals contention, but there remains plenty to play for, and selection will not become a formality at this point.

“We had five changes from last week, so hopefully we get a couple of those boys back,” Priest said.

“I think we'll stick to the same side, our side is quite young as it is. We'll still continue to play boys on merit, and this last five games is important to us as well.

“We will make sure that we've got our best side, and everyone’s on the same page that we’ve got to win at least three or four of these (remaining games) to make it a decent year."

Echuca United will play Tocumwal next week away, still in search of its first win since defeating the Bloods in round 10.