Having made finals last season, the Magpies have begun the year with four consecutive losses — three in tightly contested battles and one blowout to Seymour.
The previous weekend’s 48-point loss to the similarly placed Lions had been the low point in the season for the Magpies who despite losing some key players and figures at the club during the off-season, had made a spirited start to the year.
On Saturday afternoon, Euroa travelled to take on Mooroopna — the Cats also lost a number of star players during the off-season — for a round five clash at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
The Magpies produced a consistent four-quarter effort to peck apart the Cats’ defence and secure the four points.
Euroa held Mooroopna at arm’s length for most of the game and in the end cruised to a 27-point victory, 7.10 (52) to 12.7 (79).
After locking away the Magpies’ first win for the season, Euroa coach Dave Gleeson said his players’ mix of increased forward entries and pressure helped them get over the line against the Cats.
“Firstly, it is just good for the boys and the club to get a win after starting the season off not so well,” Gleeson said.
“Yesterday, the pressure was up early and we maintained it for most of the game so that was the most pleasing aspect of it.
“We understand where we are at the moment in terms of not having a big powerful body-sized forward line.
“We have to make the most of it when we get the ball in there and recently we haven't been getting it in there clean enough.
“Yesterday, we were probably a bit cleaner and gave our forwards opportunities to kick goals.”
A shining light in the black and white this season has been young gun Cohen Paul’s impact.
Flying out of defence, Gleeson said Paul has been mightily impressive in his first full season of senior football.
“Cohen has been outstanding across half-back,” he said.
“His marking and intercept marking has been really good.
“He is reading the game and providing a good amount of leadership and direction down back, it’s his first year of senior football, so I think he is where he needs to be if he wants to play a higher level; now he just needs to keep improving.”
Gleeson sees no reason as to why Euroa can’t push for the final fifth and sixth spots in finals this season.
The Magpies' next game is a round six match-up at home against an in-form Shepparton Swans, while Mooroopna will travel up the road to Deakin Reserve to take on Shepparton United.
Both sides will be busting to get their first wins for the season.
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