Shepp News |
There has been extra pep in Euroa players’ steps since their five-point boilover victory against Mansfield two Saturdays ago.
Wins have been few and far between in recent years for the Magpies, but they suddenly have the chance to post back-to-back successes against arch-rival Seymour at Kings Park today.
The two sides, who fought out the 2005 Goulburn Valley Football League decider, played a draw two years ago and Euroa scored an opening-round eight-point upset over the Lions last season.
Today’s contest is the first time they have met on Anzac Day since 2010, when Seymour posted a 39-point triumph.
Magpies coach David Gleeson said there had been a good feeling at his club since the Eagles win.
It was the first time in eight visits to Mansfield in Gleeson’s coaching career he returned with the points.
‘‘It’s been good being around the footy club over the last week and the guys seem to have enjoyed it,’’ Gleeson said.
‘‘It’s better to be coming in as winners rather than having the pressure of not having won a game.’’
Gleeson knows the size of the task in front of his team: the Colbert brothers Paul and Brent, full-forward extraordinaire Saad Saad, Robbie Douglas and Matt O’Keefe are stars of the competition.
Saad has 16 goals to his name in two matches and will likely have Euroa’s No.
‘‘They’re still a capable side,’’ Gleeson said.
‘‘We’re hoping we can play our game and that will affect their chances of scoring.
‘‘It gives the guys confidence to know we have improved and if we stick at the instructions with how the coaches want them to play we can get a result.’’
Seymour mentor Shane Robertson was less concerned with individual Magpies and more so with their spread of contributors.
‘‘I had the opportunity to watch them in the first round and I saw some good signs there,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘We can’t underestimate them. They have some good talent there and they’re a young side like us, so it will be a really good challenge.’’
Robertson said Euroa’s ability to ‘‘stay in the game’’ against Benalla proved to him his side would have to produce a four-quarter effort if it wanted to prevail.
‘‘To be, hopefully, 3-0 (through today’s game) would be a huge starting point for us and, again, we have a lot more improvement,’’ he said.
‘‘It kick-starts our season and gets us underway with a bit of confidence going forward, so tomorrow’s game is very important with respect to that.’’
Gun midfielder Jason Cole (hip) is a chance to play for the Lions, but in-form medium-sized defender Xavier McMahon will step up if he doesn’t.
Gleeson said Jake McBean (hamstring) and Kieran Delahunty (knee) were likely to play, despite not being named on Tuesday night.
