http://www.riverineherald.com.au/2018/04/26/13459/masters-wind-back-the-clock-on-football-field

Saturday night, the Echuca Masters travelled to Maryborough for the first full game of the season.

With some late omissions in the side, the EMUs were able to amend the side for competition, as they kicked off under lights at Princes Park.

The first quarter saw Maryborough strike with the first goal, only for the EMUs to match it minutes later to even the ledger. Up forward, Mick Moritz had an open forward 50 and was able to slot the first of his two goals with some aggression breaking a couple of tacklers open to record a major. Travis Edwards was able to contribute another, which was a great reward for hard and fair play, even if he had to play with one eye open. Both sides scored once more before they head into the break.

The second quarter saw the EMUs break away with a few more goals, most notably a 75m kick to the square from Lyndon Neville to bounce through the big sticks for what was the Play of the Day. The EMUs managed another couple of majors by the end of the quarter to have a strong lead. Jeff Abela, Mick Moritz and Mick Dodd all added to the scoreboard.

The third quarter saw the game become more congested as Maryborough increase their intensity, scoring quickly after the the first bounce and keeping the pressure on through the game. Bruce McCahon showed flashes of his youth, winding back the clock with ruthless aggression winning the footy. Garner Smith held the backline together with his hardness and willingness to win the footy, keeping the EMUs in the game as Maryborough attempted to surge forward.

In the fourth quarter Maryborough continued to come aggressively at the Echuca side as the EMUs had issues maintaining possession, turning the ball over with some freekicks. But the EMUs continued to fight hard and battle as the fourth quarter sounded with a fairly even contest throughout the game in true Masters spirit.

The EMUs play their first game at home on May 6, kicking off at 1:30pm. Head down and give them your support and enjoy footy in it’s funnest form.

BEST: Jeff Abela, Chris Hagan, Mick Dodd, Garner Smith
GOALS: 2 – Mick Moritz, 1 – Jeff Abela, Mick Dodd, Travis Edwards, Chris Hagan, Lyndon Neville,