Six on the spin for high-flying Echuca

“We just want to keep improving and tinkering with a few things but making sure we’re finishing games off is the priority.”

It was a tough start for the Murray Bombers as the Swans won the opening term.

The home side came out firing and led at the first break 10-9 in a physical and energy-sapping affair.

But any hopes of a Swans victory were quickly squashed in the second term as Echuca piled on 18 goals to outscore the home side by 11 in a match-winning display.

Lees and goaling partner Sheridan Townrow were electric at one end, while at the other it was defensive duo Ash Mangan and Lauren Jones that out-worked and restricted the Swans’ attack.

The dominance continued in the third term with Echuca stretching out its buffer to 12 goals.

Despite an improved final-quarter display from the hosts, with teenage star Harriet Gall a standout in centre, the game fizzled out and, as it did, so did the Swans’ finals dreams.

Lees highlighted the importance of her side being able to weather the brunt of the storm in the blistering first term effort from the Swans.

“I knew it was going to be a game we would have to build into,” she said.

“We knew they would be with us absolutely for the first half and we would have to wear the physicality of the game and try and get the pace and settle.

“But I think once we settled, our systems and skills got us ahead and the focus was then on finishing the game off which we were able to do.

“I think our defence end was awesome. Ash and Lauren were brilliant.

“Even Raina (Fimmel) coming on and playing a role, in an impact role off the bench, was excellent too.”

Meanwhile, Rochester has maintained the pressure on Shepparton following a stellar road win over Tatura.

The Tigers flexed their muscles over the fifth-placed Bulldogs and claimed a crucial 56-43 win to keep the pressure on the Bears.