Second half rout against Shepparton United secures Euroa top four status

Adam Giobbi and Jett Trotter combined for 10 of Euroa’s goals in the 21.19 (145) to 7.7 (49) beating, while a foursome of Magpies aged 17 and under ― Ryan Hill, Cohen Paul, Will Creevey and Mitch Walters ― stepped up.

A stoic Scott Rowan spoke on his side’s drive post-game, the Euroa coach content with what his troops brought to the table in the round 13 rout.

“I think our ball movement (was good), we started it in the second half last week and we continued with it today,” he said.

“It’s a pretty easy ground to get trapped really wide, so I was pleased with the way we moved the footy.”

Giobbi grabbed the first goal amid a slew of wayward conversions from Euroa, but good pressure from Riley Onley generated a chance Jayden Magro wasn’t going to miss, the mercurial forward adding another two minutes later.

The Magpies lost Matthew Ivill to a ruptured AC joint, but bit back with a quick-fire double courtesy of Nathan Stewart to spear to a nine-point lead at quarter-time.

Lachie Hill got in on the action with his first to kick off the second term, while Giobbi sent another through the sticks, but United had the rub of the green for five fleeting minutes.

Liam Serra converted off more smart work from Onley and Fergus Pinnuck made himself busy inside Euroa’s defensive 50 to supply Robbie Mifka who added the finishing touch.

But the Demons could not grasp the game by its collar and Euroa came charging in with a red-time barrage.

Bright talent Paul took a towering mark and raised the arms in elation after a rousing goal, the youngster then going again from the right pocket after Giobbi’s third to knock the wind from the hosts’ sails.

Up 57-27 at half-time, Euroa was forceful through the centre as Andrew Smith dominated the ruck duel and damaged the Demons on the offensive.

Giobbi added insult to injury in the third term with his fourth and fifth, the second of which dropped jaws as he entered orbit to claim a spectacular mark off Will Hayes’ spiral bomb.

Magpies defender Jack Frewen allowed Magro no breathing room and, with United’s perennial threat shadowed, it was up to Sheldon Bogdan to finally hit back for the Demons.

Magro eventually found enough space to pirouette and snap off his left early in the final quarter ― the only action in a dull first 10 minutes ― but the next few phases were then supercharged by five goals in as many minutes.

Zac and Jacob Gleeson etched their name on the scoreboard, sandwiched either side of another for Trotter, and a cheap 50m penalty given away by Kyle Clarke gifted Hill an easy goal.

A show of fight from Magro had him arrow a rasping, long-range goal over and through, but Trotter was the star of the final act as he kicked three in three minutes before Giobbi rounded out the scoring.

A sombre setting swept the home rooms following the loss, with United coach Duane Hueston demanding more passion, belief and know-how from his 22 after letting the game slip through their fingers before half-time.

“There’s certain parts of the game where we’ll take the game on and hit the kick inboard and just don’t have that runner coming from behind.

“That’s something we’ve been working on and trying to learn more and more.

“Today it didn’t work too well for us, but we’ll work again through it at training and keep going over it and over it until it sinks in that this is the way we would like to play.

“We’ve just got to get better with our skills, everyone has potential, but it’s whether you’re willing to do what’s required to be better ― instead of being a good kick, become a great kick.”

Hueston picked out Onley and Serra for carrying out their roles superbly, while Rowan applauded Frewen’s astute defending on Magro despite the former Waratahs forward kicking four.