Sport

Eagles fall in second half

By Matthew Kappos

Mar 29, 2026

Ruck Ryder Johnson, here battling the Rams’ Ben East, was one of the standout performers for Echuca United in its opening round defeat to Deniliquin. Photo: Jordan Townrow

It was a strong early performance for Echuca United in its season opener, but the Eagles weren’t able to complete the performance, falling to Deniliquin on Saturday.

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In a standalone opening round fixture, Echuca South Recreation Reserve was the venue for the first action of the Murray Football Netball League season, the Eagles’ seniors facing up to the Rams.

United started with all the running in a dominant first period, kicking the first four goals and opening up a 20-point lead by quarter-time.

The Rams fought their way back into the contest, reversing the momentum with four goals to one of their own in the second to trail by a point at the half 5.6 (36) to 5.5. (35).

The Eagles earned an edge with the first after the break, but three straight from Deni put the Rams on top, eventually leading by eight at the last change.

The lead stretched to 20 in a low-scoring final term, United kicking the final goal of the match to fall 8.10 (58) to 11.6 (72).

“We're pretty disappointed with the result, we went in there expecting to win and it didn't fall our way, but there's a few positives,” Eagles coach Francis Lias said.

“We were really happy with a couple of our young blokes.

“Ryder Johnson played really well in the ruck, happy with what he brought and Cody Haub was good up forward, but overall we probably have a few things we need to work on.”

Recruit Haub did the job he was brought in to do, leading the forward line with four of the Eagles’ eight goals.

After a destructive start, Deniliquin refocused their game plan, Lias saying his Eagles let a few down moments dent their confidence.

“We got the start we wanted and then there were a few things that didn't go our way and we probably we didn't respond too well to it,” he said.

“We dropped our heads, you can see our demeanour drop and our body language changed.

“They pushed their forwards up the ground a lot and we lost a bit of connection there.

“They moved the ball forward pretty well and our backs dropped off them a bit and didn't pick them up coming back through, so they were able to pick a few holes in our defence as they moved forward.”

United now has a slightly shortened recovery to make the needed adjustments before a blockbuster Three Jacks clash with Moama, at Moama, on Good Friday.

“We need to be more accountable,” Lias said.

“Our backs need to be a bit more man-on-man and when we develop a process or a structure, we need to stick to it.

“We need to be all buying in to the team plan and making sure that we're all doing what we need to be doing.”

That seniors Three Jacks Trophy clash is set for 2pm at Moama Recreation Reserve, on Good Friday.