The Magpies returned from the interleague bye with shedloads of intent in their round seven tie against Tatura, scoring freely in the first and last quarter to emerge 11.8 (74) to 6.8 (44) victors in Goulburn Valley League.
Tatura, marred through injury this season, was able to compete in what was a grappling match through the middle of the game, but a latent start and finish ultimately cost the Bulldogs in what could have been a storybook win at Tatura Park.
The first scoring shot summed up the day for the host.
With Euroa applying the squeeze inside Tatura’s defensive pocket, the Bulldogs looked to have created an angle to burst out and run, but within seconds, the ball was sailing through the sticks thanks to a crisp snap around the bend from Will Hayes.
Hayes’ effort was followed up by Andrew Smith’s booming attempt from just inside the arc while fellow Magpie Erish Uthayakumar would snag two in the first quarter, Tatura only getting on the scoreboard once through young talent Charlie Murdoch.
Despite being rocked in the opening term, Tatura kicked back to post 2.2 in the following exchange to rip away some of Euroa’s early dominance.
That trend continued in the third quarter as Bulldogs star Harley McCarthy – back from interleague responsibilities – cancelled out Jett Trotter’s goal, while Che Walls would also get in on the act for Tatura.
However, when push came to shove, Euroa wound up and shoved.
Shoved hard.
The surging and surgical incisive movement of midfield guns Jayden Gleeson and Hayes had them both register a goal in the last as did Tristan Davies, lining up the nail in Tatura’s coffin and beating down on it with full force to seal four points, as well as the Bulldogs’ fate.
Trotter was superb with 13 contested possessions and 10 total ground ball gets, while Uthayakumar was excellent for his three-goal haul.
No man touched the football more than Tatura’s McCarthy, however, his game-high tally of 35 disposals a clear standout during a tough loss.