It’s funny how a close loss can spark a serious reaction.
Since losing by a goal to Echuca in round eight Euroa has racked up four wins on the spin, extending the run with a 7.11 (53) to 4.8 (32) trumping of Benalla away on Saturday in the Goulburn Valley League.
With the Magpies wary of Benalla’s fierce starting power on its back paddock and considering Euroa’s recent bye, a searing third quarter was the key to unlocking the Saints’ defence and creating enough scoreboard pressure to secure four points.
“We were pretty pleased with our second half, we were a bit sluggish after the bye to start, but they brought a lot of pressure and were fantastic around the contest I thought,” Euroa coach Scott Rowan said.
“We certainly weren’t taking them lightly, but it’s just that thing when everyone gets back together.
“We were pretty cautious of our start because they kicked the first four or five against us last year at Benalla.
“We were able to stay with them on the scoreboard but by no means was it commanding in the first half, that’s for sure.”
On a heavy Benalla Showgrounds track, the Saints reversed a five-point deficit at quarter-time to lead by a single behind at the half.
Benalla had coaxed the visitors into a plot of heavily-contested play and scrapping it down the line, but Euroa managed to speed up its ball movement and was rewarded for it after the half.
The Magpies kicked 3.3 to Benalla’s 0.2 in the third, and sustained the lead in the following term to run out 21-point victors.
Adam Giobbi finished with three goals for Euroa, while Jack Frewen produced his most convincing performance of the season down back.
For Benalla, Jarrad Waite matched Giobbi’s tally and Tom Bennett was hard at the coalface for the home side.
“We’ve played some pretty consistent footy since we’ve lost a few players through unavailability,” Rowan said.
“I actually think the brand and effort has been there a lot more in the last four or five weeks since that Echuca game and we’ve actually got some reward for it, so it’s been pleasing.”