Unfortunately for the Saints, however, it was the Magpies that swooped to pick up the four points – by four points – in a brilliant see-sawing battle at Memorial Oval.
With both sides heading into the contest at 1-5, the race to get win number two for the year on the board was a hotly-contested one, with Euroa managing to sneak ahead and pip Benalla to prevail 10.13 (73) to 10.9 (69) in a tight and tough affair.
Benalla has made a habit of blistering starts in 2025 and Saturday was no different, as the Saints slammed home an accurate five straight majors in the opening term, although the Magpies managed three of their own to stay within touching distance, 11 points back as they headed into the quarter-time huddle.
The Magpies made their move in the second term, slotting the opening three goals to establish a lead of their own, which could have been larger after peppering the goal face with seven behinds for the quarter, while restricting the Saints to 1.3 to ensure they carried a five-point advantage into the long break.
But the Saints, who have shown sizeable improvement this season despite the lack of wins, closed to four points behind by three-quarter time, outscoring Euroa by a single point in the third term to set up a thrilling finish, one they looked to be on the right side of after a strong start to the final quarter.
Two behinds closed the margin to two points, before young gun Cooper Gracie booted his second major of the contest to hand Benalla the lead by four points.
Scoring had dried up as the tension rose with each passing second, but after a couple of errant shots for either side, Euroa’s Declan Redfern stepped up to slot the match winner, edging the Magpies ahead by two points to break Benalla hearts and hand Euroa its second win of the year.
Euroa’s Cohen Paul (one goal) was awarded the Les Reed Medal for his efforts as best afield, however, Nick Warnock was instrumental for Benalla, racking up 19 disposals and 12 marks, along with 15 intercept possessions in yet another brilliant performance, while ruckman Mark Marriott showed his class with 13 clearances among his 17 disposals.
Chris Welsh (23 touches, five clearances) and Nick Mellington (19 disposals, eight clearances) were pivotal around the contest, earning spots in the best, as did Gracie, who slotted two goals as the only other multiple goal kicker alongside coach Jarrad Waite, who booted three.
The loss leaves Benalla at 1-6 heading into the interleague bye, occupying 10th spot on the ladder, a game behind Euroa, which sits at 2-5 in eighth.
It will be a tough fortnight for the Saints when the GVL resumes on May 31, with games against Mansfield and Seymour on the road, before they return to the showgrounds to host Mooroopna in round 10.
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