Euroa stepped up to the plate and put forth its Goulburn Valley League premiership credentials yet again on Saturday, downing reigning premier Kyabram and ending its title defence in comprehensive fashion at Tatura Park.
A nine-goal-to-zip third-quarter shellacking was the catalyst for a resounding Magpies win, as they cruised to an eventual 15.14 (104) to 8.5 (53) elimination final triumph.
With the breeze at their backs, the Pies got on top early and booted the first two goals, but could have been left to rue six first-quarter behinds.
It wouldn’t matter for much and they continued to gain ascendancy after the first change with four goals to Kyabram’s two.
“We started pretty well, but didn’t put the scoreboard pressure on until probably halfway through the third quarter,” Euroa coach Scott Rowan said after the game.
“I knew after how we started the game, we were only going to get better, I thought we were fantastic with our pressure, we had eight scoring shots in the first quarter, once we took those opportunities I knew we could get on top.”
And that they did.
Euroa played its opponent off the park in the third quarter and booted a staggering nine goals as Kyabram struggled to escape its defensive 50.
The Magpies’ on-ball brigade of Harrison Jarvie, Jack Hellier and Andrew Smith shored up control of the game around clearances and Euroa’s forwards feasted on the opportunities they were provided.
“At half-time we wanted to wipe the scoreboard clear, continue to do what we’ve been doing and hopefully turn two goals six to six goals two,” Rowan said.
“I think we did that and a little bit more.”
Jett Trotter and Tristan Davies would spearhead the scoring with three majors apiece, with seven other Pies helping themselves to a slice of the action.
“I was pretty confident that we’d turn up to play, all 22 did their role, there were a few role-players and a few others who got the benefit of that and the forwards capitalised on everyone’s good work,” Rowan said.
The Euroa coach said a number of his key contributors came to the fore in all thirds of the ground, with Adam Giobbi a particular standout across half-back.
“Ads (Adam Giobbi) has been good all year, our midfield group today was superb both defensively and offensively today, there was a really good balance,” he said.
With pride on the line, Kyabram trimmed an 83-point deficit back in the final quarter with six unanswered goals, but the damage was well and truly done by then.
An encounter with Echuca is the next hurdle on Euroa’s finals journey and a resounding win over the reigning premier has buoyed the Pies as their premiership quest continues to gain traction.
“We had a good win over in Mansfield earlier in the year when we played the kind of team footy we’ve been working towards, we have put it together before like that — but today’s performance is definitely up there for the year,” Rowan said.
“It’s pretty jovial in the rooms and everyone’s up and about, we’ll enjoy the win, but everyone’s focused on getting the job done next week too.”