The Echuca Football Netball Club, nicknamed the Murray Bombers, is an Australian rules football and netball club based in the Victorian town of Echuca, Victoria.

History

The Echuca Football Club was formed in 1874, so it could play against the Rochester Football Club which was also formed in 1874.

Echuca initially wore the blue and white colours.

In 1890, Echuca won the Ryan McRAE trophy, then in 1891, Echuca East Football Club won the trophy, then in 1892, Rochester won the initial premiership and Echuca protested, which resulted in the two teams having to play a grand final match. Rochester refused to play, with Echuca travelling over to Rochester to play, but with no competing team, Echuca claimed the premiership match, after the first bounce. After much discussion, Echuca was officially declared premiers.

Echuca played many matches against East Echuca Football Club in the mid to late 1890s.

The club teams currently compete in the Goulburn Valley Football League (GVFL), having initially joined in 1909. Echuca also played in the Bendigo Football League, from 1925 until 1939, then from 1949 until they returned to the GVFL in 1974.

Echuca played in the Echuca Football League from 1946 to 1948, winning three consecutive premierships, before returning to the Bendigo Football League.

Echuca changed its club colours to green and white in March, 1953.

One well known ex-player is former Victorian police officer Ron Iddles.

Competitions Timelines

Football Premierships

Seniors

LeagueTotal flagsPremiership yearsRunner Up
Echuca District FA41890,,1892, 1893 19021891
Northern District FA11901,
Bendigo Football League31928, 1967, 19701950
Echuca Football League31946, 1947, 19481945
Goulburn Valley Football League81977, 1979, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2022, 2023, 20241909, 1910, 1911, 1976, 1987, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2019.

Reserves

Thirds

Echuca East Football Club

  • Echuca Football Association 1891
  • Northern District Football Association 1894, 1895

Football League best & fairest winners

Seniors

Reserves

Senior Football Coaches

YearCoach
1947-50Brian Randall
1994-98Simon Eishold
1999Rod O'Reilly
2000-01Ken Sheldon
2023-04Coen Yin
2005-06Dylan Butler
2007-08Steven Orr
2009-11Brett Henderson
2012-13Cameron Stewart
2014–2017Andrew Briggs
2018–2020Simon Maddox &
Andrew Walker
2021–2024Andrew Walker

AFL players

External links