Heading into the clash at Euroa Memorial Oval on July 18, visitors Benalla had reasons to be optimistic of springing a surprise on the road, with both sides level on points in the standings at the start of play.
However, the hosts were buoyed by last week’s eight-point triumph over fellow bottom-half side Mansfield in front of a home crowd - sparking hope within the group of an upturn in fortunes.
After a compelling contest, it proved to be Euroa’s day in front of a home crowd as they prevailed in a 14.13 (97) to 9.11 (65) thriller.
The first period proved to be a fraught battle for the ascendancy, with the Magpies notching the opening strike of the day via Mitchell Walters - before the Saints issued an instant response.
Mark Marriott and Michael Mummery hit the scoreboard to fire Benalla into a slender lead but this appeared to simply light the touch paper in the Euroa ranks as captain Jett Trotter led the way by booting a goal a minute later.
From there, the home side locked in, as Jack McKernan and Cohen Paul added strikes of their own reverse the damage, either side of a reply from Benalla’s Tom Riley.
Quarter-time clearly enabled the hosts to regroup and they came out after the first change-over with the bit between their teeth.
Paul grabbed another two majors to put the home side in control of the tie, while Walters added his second of the day to extend the lead, as Adam Giobbi also hit the scoreboard.
The pendulum had very much swung the way of Euroa heading into half-time and Benalla’s charges will have been all too aware of the need for a strong third quarter showing to have any chance of preventing an onslaught.
As the travelling side emerged back into the fray having fallen 20 points behind their opponents, the Magpies again proved the better side in the third.
Jack McKernan and Keily Jager got in on the act by booting goals of their own, while usual suspects Mitchell and Paul two grabbed two further strikes between them.
Goals from Mummery and Ryley Ely kept the visitors plugging away in the clash - but it was clear heading into the final stages that all four points would be staying in Euroa in this round.
The fourth quarter proved a more even affair than the previous three, as Benalla’s Hamish Willett and Sam Begley registered strikes.
However, Magpies skipper Trotter again showed his leadership qualities to put the result beyond doubt with a timely goal, as Paul added another to see out the win from 60 metres out.
In total, the free-scoring Paul ended the game with five goals to his name, while Mitchell grabbed a trio of majors in an eye-catching performance of his own.
In front of the sticks, it was Mummery and Riley who proved the most effective during what proved to be a tough day at the office for the Saints.
Next up, Euroa will have the opportunity to make it three victories from three in round 15 at home against Seymour, while Benalla will be aiming to stop the rot as they host Mansfield.
