Sport
22 August, 2025
Emus stun Pumas in thriller
A five-goal to two final term delivered Echuca-Moama United a come-from-behind victory over Maryborough in their final AFL Masters Victoria Country football clash of the season.
The Emus stunned the Pumas with the late barrage to win 9.5.(59) to 8.3.(51) at Maryborough’s Princes Park on Saturday.
Maryborough had outplayed the visitors for the first three quarters, with Pumas’ midfielder Scott Newitt dominating the contest.
However, Newitt’s departure at the end of the third quarter flipped the contest, with the Emus holding on grimly for the last five minutes to an eight-point lead.
“(Echuca-Moama) got a run on at the start of the last quarter. They kicked three or four goals in a row, and we just didn’t have enough legs to peg them back after they got in front,” Maryborough coach Terry Hillier said.
“It was a good effort against a very good side who we’ve struggled against in the past.
“It would have been nice to end the season with a win, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is one of the best seasons our club has had over the past 10 years.
“We’ve had a lot of new players join us this year. I’d like to think they’ve liked what they’ve seen and we’ll be back even stronger next year.”
Echuca-Moama coach Mark van Poeteren shifted himself to full forward in the fourth quarter and ultimately proved the match-winner for the visitors.
Paul Manitta was Maryborough’s best with four goals, with Jibb Iglesias, Chris Gunn, Scott Hurley and Echuca veteran Kevin Pascoe (playing for Maryborough) each finishing with a goal apiece.
Newitt, Matt Powell, Jake Meyer, Gunn and Paul Cicchini were also among the Pumas’ best.
Training for AFL Masters football will resume in October on Wednesday evenings at 6 pm at Princes Park.
