A hoodoo was broken and a league took notice when Echuca United beat Mulwala by 26 points at Lonsdale Reserve on Saturday.
The Eagles remain undefeated after three matches in the Murray Football League.
It was the first time United had won at the Lions’ den, leading at every change to win 16.9(105) to 12.7(79).
Farran Priest was best on ground for the second week with a five-goal haul, while coach Scott Beattie and Cam Parker kicked three each.
United’s intent was on display from the start, booting the first six goals in an ominous opening term.
Beattie said United made the most of its chances early.
‘‘We put a focus on our start last week and I didn’t think we were that great,’’ he said.
‘‘(On Saturday) we did things right early and we finished off our opportunities when we got them.
‘‘It was a bit disappointing to concede two goals late in the quarter.’’
The Lions outscored the visitors by a goal in the second quarter and levelled the scores in the third term, before United dug deep to hold a 12-point buffer at three-quarter-time.
Beattie said being able to pull away from Mulwala in the final term did not say much about his side, but proved its game plan was working.
‘‘There was five or 10 minutes in the third quarter when they kicked goals quickly and got level with us,’’ he said.
‘‘We got back to basics and at times had to be more accountable.
‘‘There were leaders on the ground who were quick to say, ‘We’re still in this’.’’
The coach said every player contributed to the win, labelling Clint Starkey as his best player and lauding Jake Guinan’s game at full-back.
He was again impressed by the output of his talls in Ash Kirchhofer, James Coppock and Tom Jackson and said Farran Priest’s leadership was as impressive as his five majors.
Keegan Oliver, Sean Robinson and Tom Wilson starred for the home side, while Chase Strawhorn was the best of the goal-kickers with three.
Beattie said winning at Mulwala was not a focus before the game, but was in the back of the players’ minds.
‘‘When you see how much it means to the older guys to sing the song at Mulwala for the first time, it hits home and shows how important it is for those guys,’’ he said.
The Eagles’ disposal inside 50 impressed the coach, who wanted to see more of the same when the club hosts Numurkah on Saturday.
■United’s reserves side suffered its first loss of the season despite coming home strong in the final term, losing to Mulwala 9.9(63) to 8.8(56).
The Eagles led by a goal at quarter-time, but could only manage two goals across the next two terms to trail by 22 points at the final change.
Nathan Bottomley, Phillip Hazelman and Josh Molluso each kicked two goals, while Luke Whykes and Zayden Molluso put their hands up for a senior call-up after solid displays.
