GVL Data | Euroa’s Trotter becomes a galloper

The round 17 Goulburn Valley League clash was a one-sided affair, with the Magpies dominant in a 133-point belting.

Although it takes more than one player to dismantle a side, Trotter was an unstoppable force that cut Benalla to shreds on its home deck.

Euroa’s win and Shepparton Swans’ loss at the weekend means the Magpies have locked away the last spot in finals for 2024.

If Kyabram loses to Shepparton this weekend in the final round of the home and away season and Euroa wins heavily against Mansfield, the Magpies could potentially move up to fifth spot on the ladder.

However, a 12 per cent gap between the Bombers and the Magpies’ percentages makes that scenario unlikely.

Either way, Euroa will face a tough proposition in the first week of the finals.

Depending on the results from round 18, it will face one of Mooroopna or Rochester.

The Magpies will head into their first final as underdogs, but if their star forward-midfielder Trotter can produce a performance like he did against Benalla, Euroa will be able to push any side come September.

On Saturday afternoon, Trotter was everywhere for the Magpies, collecting 32 touches (26 effective), 17 contested possessions, seven intercept possessions and nine marks inside 50.

Those stats alone are impressive, but Trotter’s day only gets better from here as the Saints’ defenders gave him a feedbag to munch on in the forward line.

The star Magpie booted a season-high 7.1 — Benalla only managed 1.8 as a team — and recorded 216 ranking points for the match.

Trotter was also productive in setting up his teammates, finishing with four goal assists, 13 goal involvements and 22 score involvements.

Euroa’s gun hybrid player has had another impressive season in the black and white.

Across 15 games, he has averaged 21.4 disposals, 105.1 ranking points, 1.6 goals, 4.1 goal involvements and eight score involvements a match.

Trotter also leads Euroa’s goal-kicking tally for the season with 28 majors.