Two quick wins has lifted dark clouds at Memorial Oval, with Saturday’s win over Shepparton Swans putting Euroa’s Goulburn Valley League campaign well and truly back on track.
A 19.6 (120) to 7.3 (45) win at Princess Park in round four was just what the doctor ordered for the Magpies, although it was far from easy-going for the visitors early doors.
A hot start from both left little separating the two sides at the first change, the Swans then kicking the first goal of the second period to have them trailing by just one point.
It was all Euroa from there however, the Magpies going on to kick five straight before a seven-goal-to-one third term had them away and laughing.
Euroa coach Scott Rowan said it was pleasing to get an important road win under the belt at this early stage.
“All week we’ve been a bit cautious about coming here, it’s always a different sort of game here,” he said.
“I haven’t won here a lot as a coach, so to get another win this week is pretty important to us.”
A hot contest from first bounce was what Rowan expected, and the Magpies mentor was pleased with how his boys responded as the game developed.
“At quarter time it was four goals apiece, it was a bit of a scrap, they were moving the ball fantastically well, they’re very well coached and well drilled,” he said.
“They were very clean, but the boys stuck at it and got a couple late in the second quarter, then after half-time, we knew they’d come again, so it was just about trying to get through that wave and trying to play our footy.
“Luckily we got on the end of a few and broke the back of it and came home with some pretty decent play in the end.”
Key forwards Erishmiilan Uthayakumar and Tristan Davies were lethal as ever up front, kicking six and four respectively, while bringing heat to the Swans’ back line all day long.
“Forward pressure was a focus of the week and setting up our structures — it’s always nice when that sort of stuff comes off and you can see some reward for it,” Rowan said.
“A few of the forwards got on the end of a few but it’s not only their goal kicking, it’s their tackling pressure and turning the ball over that’s key too.”
The Magpies’ defensive unit stood tall for the second week running, the half-back trio of Adam Giobbi, Dan Garside and Max Gleeson all producing superb performances.
“The back six worked great today, withstood a lot of pressure as well, Dan Garside’s come back for his first couple of games of the year and he’s straightened us up a fair bit, great to have his leadership down there as well,” Rowan said.
“Maxy Gleeson started the year in the midfield and went to half-back the last couple of weeks, he’s really strengthened us up through there.
“He’s good in the air and on the ground, so it’s great to have someone versatile like that.”
As for the Swans, coach Andrew Riordan was proud of how his young group showed their ability to compete against a premiership contender.
“What was pleasing was we matched them, for at least a quarter and a half, against a team that’s aspiring to be in the grand final,” Riordan said.
“We’re a developing team, especially with two of our top line leaders out of the team today, it was a really young team out there and I thought the way we came out and played and matched them today was very pleasing.
“Third quarter we dropped away and that’s the challenge for our young group, trying to minimise the gap between the good and the bad.”
With well over half of the Swans’ squad under the age of 23, Riordan believes his side can only get better in the years to come.
“I think overall, we’d have 18 players that are under 22 and 23 in our team, I thought all the boys and pretty much our whole midfield group, I thought they all played a good role and a good part in the game.”