GVL: Brendan Allen boots six in Euroa win over Mansfield

A ‘freakish talent’ booted six majors for a Goulburn Valley side decimated due to Covid-19 restrictions as a young gun produced one of the best defensive performances of the season.

Brendan Allen starred in his return for Euroa. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Euroa coach Scott Rowan describes Brendan Allen as a “freakish talent”.

It’s a shame Magpies supporters don’t see him more often.

Allen played just his fifth senior game of the season on Saturday as Euroa moved into second spot on the Goulburn Valley league ladder.

The return of Allen couldn’t have come at a better time for Rowan’s side with 12 players unavailable due to metropolitan Melbourne’s Covid-19 restrictions.

But it mattered little as Allen produced a best on ground display to lift his side to an important four points.

“Brendan is a freakish talent and we all know what he can do with the ball in his hands,” Rowan said.

“He’s a very busy man with work so it’s unfortunate we don’t always have him but he’s always willing to put his hand up when he is available.

“His availability couldn’t have worked out better with everything that is happening.”

Supplied Editorial Euroa registered a big win over Mansfield. Photo: Euroa FNC Twitter.

Despite Allen’s heroics it was unsung hero Jack Frewin who had arguably one of the biggest influences on the result.

Opposed to Mansfield star Will Foster, who booted 10 goals against Seymour two weeks ago, the young gun took the chocolates in an exciting battle.

Rowan said he was pleased to see Frewin overcome a difficult start when Foster goaled early in the game.

“Jack deserves a lot of credit for the way he performed,” he said.

“For a young guy there was a lot of pressure on him to stop one of the top forwards in our competition.

“He stuck to his task and got the job done.”

Murray Bushranger Tom Panuccio was also back in black and white at the weekend, kicking two goals in an impressive display.

“Like most other kids his age, Tom has just been missing footy,” Rowan said.

“I do feel sorry for those guys because they’ve missed out on games at such a critical time in their development.

“Tom worked hard for us all day and didn’t stop running. I think he ran about 14km in the end.”

Euroa now sits second on the Goulburn Valley league ladder. Photo: Euroa FNC Twitter.

Jacob Gleeson, Jack McKernan and Nathan Stewart were also named among the better players for the Magpies.

The weekend’s results set up a stunning finish to the season with Echuca, Euroa and Seymour all locked on nine wins and two losses.

Kyabram is a game further back in fourth.

And Rowan believes the premiership race is as open as ever.

“It’s going to be very exciting to see what plays out,” he said.

“Our goal was always to finish in the top three. Whether we can get the Melbourne guys back in the next few weeks is another thing.

“But we have confidence in any side we’re able to put out on the ground.”

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