IN a match that loomed as having season defining repercussions for either side, an undermanned Euroa outfit welcomed the Mooroopna Cats for a contest which had promise to emulate a finals–like game of football and live up to this promise it certainly did.

Returning to the side for the clash was Will Hayes (who missed the week prior due to concussion), Darby Wilson and Harrison Jarvie however, these welcomed additions came at a cost with superstar Ruckman Andrew Smith and key forward duo Erish Uthayakumar and Jack Mckernan being unavailable for selection.

The game started at a frenetic pace with tackle pressure from either side making ball movement difficult in the early stages but at the quarter break it was Euroa 3.3.21 who held a 7–point lead over the Cats 2.2.14.

An undersized Nathan Stewart was spending a majority of his minutes in the ruck, but for what he lacked in height he made up for with his leap finishing the match with 33 hit–outs and giving Euroa‘s on–ball brigade led by captain Jacob Gleeson and Will Hayes' first use of the football.

At half time Euroa lead by nine points and the match was well and truly in the balance but Euroa, which was playing superb team football, maintained the message that if it stuck to its gameplan and structures, they would come out on top.

In the third quarter Euroa continued its dominance, Darby Wilson's leg–speed and Jack Frewen‘s desperation to win every contest stood out to the Euroa coaching staff and supporters.

Jacob Gleeson continued to set the tone for his younger teammates and eventually finished the match with 15 tackles and a cool 21 dispoals.

At the three–quarter time break Euroa extended its lead to 16 points with the scoreboard reading as Euroa 8.4.55 to Mooroopna 6.3.39.

However, with the wind against Euroa in the final term, players knew they would have their backs against the wall for much of the remaining 20 minutes left to play.

An early goal in the final term from Jett Trotter steadied the Euroa team and extended its lead to 22 points, but from here on in much of the play was in the Mooroopna half of the ground.

With the Cats gameplan finally kicking into gear, the Euroa defenders were being flooded by repeat forward 50 entries and tensions were building.

After kicking an unanswered three goals the margin was now four points and Euroa was left clinging on.

Matt Ivill and Max Gleeson were sublime under pressure, refusing to take a backward step when the ball was there to be won.

It was heart in mouth scenes among the Euroa faithful when Mooroopna continued its resurgence booting a further three points, Euroa holding a 1–point buffer with only minutes remaining.

In the final play of the game, Mooroopna sent a long penetrating ball inside 50, ex– AFL star Jackson Trengrove the target, it was Nate Trotter who in a last ditch effort to save the game peeled of his opponent across the front of the pack taking a huge intercept mark and inevitably winning the game for the home side as the siren sounded only moments later.

With such an exciting finish, the song was sung with great gusto in the rooms post–match.

The side now looks to take on the Shepparton Bears at Memorial Oval again this coming Saturday, June 24.

Euroa 9.8.62 defeated Mooroopna 9.7.61

Best players: Will Hayes, Nate Trotter, Jack Frewen, Nathan Stewart, Darby Wilson, Cohen Paul

Goal kickers: Will Hayes (3), Jett Trotter (2), Lachlan Hill (1), Adam Giobbi (1), Harrison Jarvie (1), Cohen Paul (1)