GVL | Gallery | Finely-tuned Magpies hand Mooroopna maiden loss

In what was Magpies coach Scott Rowan’s first victory at the Cattery, he said it was a complete team performance that got his side over the line.

“It is really pleasing (to come here and win). Twelve months ago it was the worst case result coming here with Jett (Trotter) going down and losing the game,” Rowan said.

“I think the big thing for us was just everybody played their role, it was a complete team performance and shows we just keep improving.”

Greeted with gloomy skies and greasy conditions, the mature bodies of the Magpies’ midfield made their presence felt early as the ball lived in their attacking half.

Making a surprise return to the team after struggling with a foot injury, livewire Ben Giobbi got things going for Euroa, thriving in a new role up forward with two first-quarter goals.

“It was a little bit before we thought he’d be back, but we brought Benny back and played him in a bit of a different role up forward,” Rowan said.

“We had been looking out for someone to help Jetty and Lachie Hill out with that forward pressure, and he did such a great job today and was crucial for us getting off to a great start.”

Sporting a 16-point advantage heading into the second term, Euroa continued to pile the pressure on the ladder-leading Cats, who for the first time in 2022 couldn’t stand up.

Whether it was Jack Hellier and Jacob Gleeson through the middle, Tristan Davies up forward or Adam Giobbi in defence, the Magpies resembled a well-oiled machine going into the main change 31 points clear.

Needing to find some sort of spark to begin the second half, the young Mooroopna side lifted its intensity in the third term, breaking even to leave the door open for a come-from-behind victory.

But as all good sides do, Euroa regrouped at three-quarter time and came out with a point to prove in the last, leaving Mooroopna in its wake to produce a period of clinical football.

Piling on 5.5, the Magpies gave their percentage a healthy boost, coming away 59-point victors.

The win cements the Magpies’ spot in the top six and Rowan said confidence was really starting to build as they prepared for a trip to Kyabram next weekend.

“We have been building over the past month and now we look forward to another big challenge on the road,” he said.

“The boys are in a great place at the moment, so we will go over there and give it a good shake.”

For Mooroopna coach John Lamont, the crushing loss served as a reality check for his young side after a bright start to season 2022.

“Euroa were just too strong, too committed and at the end of the day we were just outplayed,” Lamont said.

“We came into this game as the hunted sitting on top of the ladder and under the pressure we just weren’t able to execute.

“Thirty scoring shots to 10, it was an absolute smashing. Our young group was really looking to forward to this challenge, but they have just been hit between the eyes by a well-drilled team.”