THE weekend saw the EMU Masters travel to Shepparton to take on the GV Giants on a cold and wet day.

Again with some new faces in the team, the EMUs were set for a great battle.

The first quarter started with great play from Peter Spencer and Aaron Prewit, holding off a strong attacking Giants.

Jeff Abella once again put in the hard work, teaming with Duanne Kelly and Darryl Koots to move the ball forward.

Mick Moritz presented strongly out of the forward line but the conditions were not suiting the power forward.

At the end of the first the Giants were four goals up, Chris Hagan and Francis Obrien on the board for the EMUs.

Kicking with the wind in the second proved to be the turning point, with coach Bruce McCohan moving the fast running players to get at Mick’s feet when the ball spilled.

This proved to be a master stroke with Kevin Dunque kicking not only his first goal in many years, but two in a quarter.

Paul Lavars was getting back into form, running wide on the wing setting up play.

Francis Obrien also turned back the clock with another week of strong running, adding the fend off to his already large repertoire of plays.

Robert O’Connor was another great performer providing great run from the backline.

By the main break, Echuca Moama were up by two majors.

The two Chris’ — Hagan and Blake — came out firing during the third quarter driving the ball forward and linking up to give the Echuca Moama team every chance.

The back line was bolstered with Billy Smith, Paul Turner and Glenn Muriel moved to strengthen the defence alongside Damien Hammond.

Jeff Abella continued to tackle and set up play, earning the best on ground award.

New utility Garner Smith was also moving all over the ground pressuring his opponent.

The play of the day was from coach Bruce McCohan, running around the opposition coach David McPhee and taking a bounce before delivering a centimetre perfect for Mick Moritz to convert.

Peter Spencer and Paul Turner also converted late, while big man Duane Kelly set up the play for the running EMUs.

In the last quarter the Giants pushed forward but Oliver Orange, Damien Hammond and Aaron Prewett continued to get clean possessions and drive the ball forward.

Jared Johnson also provided some solid contests through the middle.

At the end of the day, the EMUs season continued on the right track with great support from family and friends.