The Magpies were fast out of the blocks at Memorial Oval, kicking seven goals to three in a dominant first quarter.
But United turned the game on its head on the other side of half-time, hitting the front in the third and forcing Euroa to respond.
Respond it did, thanks to some individual brilliance, eventually sealing an 18.9 (117) to 13.8 (86) result.
“We’d spoken about that we had to get away to a good start … we started well, then we went back into our shell,” coach Dave Gleeson said.
“Things weren’t going quite to plan, so we changed up a few things through the midfield and forward and we were able to get on top of them again.”
A key shift came with Lachie Hill, who was thrown forward and responded in style.
The midfielder booted five goals — all of them in the third term — to help the Magpies wrestle back momentum.
“His marking and ground skills were pretty good and they didn’t have an answer for him,” Gleeson said.
“Lachie’s our best ball-getter … I think he’s leading the league in hard ball gets and loose ball gets. He’ll play predominantly middle, but it’s nice to know that if we’re struggling up forward that we can push him forward.”
Euroa improved to 4-7 with the result — a record that still leaves work to do.
While mathematically within reach of the top six, Gleeson was level-headed about what lies ahead.
“We haven’t given up yet,” he said.
“We know we’re going to have to get a scalp of one of the top four or five sides, but we front up each week and we’ll have a crack at doing it.”
Injuries continue to be a challenge.
The Magpies finished the game with one player on the bench — a familiar pattern in recent weeks.
“If we got some consistency with our numbers and players we may have done a little bit better at times,” Gleeson said.
“Hopefully next week we’ll get a couple back and replace some of the ones we lost yesterday.”
The next fortnight will be telling.
A clash against Echuca looms in round 13 and Gleeson knows it could shape the back end of the campaign.
“We’ve probably gotta get through these next two games without too much damage,” he said.
“If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.”
As for what it will take to sneak into finals?
“Last year we won nine games and played finals. I don’t know if nine will be enough this year. I think 10 might be the number.”
