Sport
Trotter’s six-goal haul and Hill’s ‘breakout’ performance guide depleted Euroa to 40-point win
With a host of stars missing it was two of Euroa’s most exciting talents that stood up and stole the spotlight in Saturday’s 40-point win over Rochester.
An eye-catching six-goal haul from classy forward Jett Trotter and a “breakout” performance from emerging 21-year-old Lachie Hill helped the Magpies reach their Goulburn Valley League break with a 13.18 (96) to 8.8 (56) triumph.
Hill, who was gifted more midfield minutes, registered a season-high 36 disposals, eight clearances, seven inside 50s in a performance that earned the praise of stand-in coach Neale Poole.
The Magpies ― without mentor Scott Rowan, superstar on-baller Will Hayes, Adam and Ben Giobbi, Tristan Davies, Erish Uthayakumar and Nate Trotter ― leaned on Hill and Trotter to get them over the line at Memorial Oval.
“It was a bit of a breakout game from Lachie,” Poole said.
“He normally plays that pressure forward role, but we lost Jacob (Gleeson) to a calf injury early and so he got a chance of spending more time in the midfield. He’ll end up there (midfield) eventually; it was great to see him get his opportunity and grab it with both hands.
“Everyone at Euroa rates him highly and I think he still goes under the radar at other clubs.
“(Jett) was just his usual self ... he played more as a main target up forward with a few boys out. He just makes the most of his opportunities. He just finishes games off so well and really hurts you.”
Euroa leader Marcus Varley was tasked the job of curtailing Rochester gun Joe Atley’s influence on the game and although the Tiger on-baller found “a bit of the ball”, Poole was pleased with Varley’s efforts.
Rochester tall Mitch Cricelli found plenty of the ball and had 25 disposals, 16 of those contested, and four clearances, while teammates Blake Evans (25 touches) and Matt Kellett were top performers for the Tigers.
Gleeson’s calf injury didn’t look “too bad” according to Poole and he suspects the midfielder to put his hand up for selection after the bye.
Poole was pleased with the overall contribution from a Magpies outfit that is gaining much-needed depth on the eve of finals.
“We had a big emphasis on starting well and you could tell they did too because they came out firing,” the Magpies’ assistant coach said.
“That first quarter was a really hard-fought slog ... the ground wasn’t wet, but it was pretty heavy and there were a few sore boys after the game.
“The scoreboard shows it might have been comfortable, but it was a pretty tough contest.
“I thought it was an even spread from our experienced players to our juniors and they all stood up when they needed to.
“We’ll get a lot of players back after the break and that will be tough on the guys playing now, but it’s pleasing to know we have that depth now.”