The ex-AFL talent was judged best-afield for the Magpies with his 36-disposal, 16 of those contested, 12 tackles, nine clearances and four-goal display at Memorial Oval.
The star on-baller no doubt strengthened his Morrison Medal chances in the round 11 Goulburn Valley League clash, with three of his majors coming from classy snaps before he sealed his side’s 14.9 (93) to 7.8 (50) win with a set-shot goal from beyond the 50m arc.
“Will was really good, he was his usual self around the contests and he spent a little bit of time forward and got on the end of a couple,” Euroa coach Scott Rowan said.
“He’s been so consistent this year, averaging what, mid-30s disposals? So it’s what we’ve come to expect from Will, but he works so hard each and every week.”
In windy conditions that favoured the town end, Rowan labelled the contest a “funny day” with majority of goals scored at the opposite end.
Shepparton got the first on the board through the previous week’s post-siren hero Trent Herbert, before the home side roared back with five of the next six majors.
Euroa teenager Cohen Paul impressed in his fifth senior match, with the towering tall kicking two first-quarter goals.
Paul booted the first of his two goals with a flashy soccer attempt off the ground before his second came from a set-shot minutes later to help extend his side’s lead to double digits.
Rowan praised the emerging 17-year-old key forward’s day.
“Young Cohen Paul, I thought he had a really great performance and he’s starting to feel comfortable at senior level,” he said.
Euroa went on to pile on seven goals to two in the second and third quarters before the Bears won the final term with Herbert registering his fourth and final goal.
Captain Jacob Gleeson (15 disposals, nine tackles, five clearances), gun ruckman Andrew Smith (32 hit-outs, one goal) and Ryan Pendlebury rounded out the better players for the hosts.
Bears on-baller Tyron Baden (23 disposals, seven inside 50s, six tackles) was a standout, while Bryce Stephenson matched Smith in the ruck with 32 hit-outs and five clearances.
Rowan was pleased to enter the break on a winning note, which his top four side will use to launch into the second half of the year.
“It was a tough game, so I’m thrilled to come away with the win,” he said.
“We’ll do one session this week and let the boys enjoy the week off ... the first block of games we’ve had three or four changes each week, so it’s been hard to get that consistency. We’ll use the last few games as a real launchpad for our finals run and we’ll see what happens.”
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