Sport

Goulburn Valley League football Rising Star for August: Echuca’s Darby Jones

By Callum Farquhar

Sep 3, 2026

Echuca’s Darby Jones is the News’ August Rising Star. Photo by BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022

In his first full year of senior Goulburn Valley League football, Darby Jones has erupted onto the Echuca scene - and could be headed for premiership glory to cap it all off.

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A versatile tall, Jones’ aerial ability to clunk contested grabs and win ruck contests against veteran GVL stars is compounded with chiselling kicks around the ground or in front of goal.

The latter of which came to the fore in Echuca’s qualifying final against minor premier Shepparton last Saturday, when 19-year-old Jones kicked three goals while parked up in the forward arc to help the Murray Bombers claim a five-goal win.

It followed a clinical previous fortnight up forward in the home and away season, when Jones had two goals from 16 disposals in Echuca’s 100-point thrashing of Shepparton United in round 17 and goal against Mooroopna in round 18 that further solidified the Murray Bombers’ top-two spot.

Jones has been a regular contributor across the season too, averaging 13.2 disposals, 2.2 contested marks and 1.5 goals per game.

He was also one of the GVL’s best on ground in the under-19s interleague clash.

If the young gun can continue to make each moment count in a stacked Echuca side, he’ll undoubtedly contribute to a potential grand final, and even premiership, run for the Murray Bombers.

Jones is set to feature for Echuca in the semi-final against Kyabram at Kyabram Recreation Reserve on Sunday, with a win securing the first place in the GVL senior football grand final.