Euroa’s Ben Giobbi, Echuca’s Andrew Walker impress in Goulburn Valley

A host of former VFL and AFL players shone as the Goulburn Valley League returned. Here’s who stole the show headlined by a new Euroa star.

Kyle Emery made a perfect start to life with Mansfield. Photo: Che Chorley

Euroa had talent waiting in the wings before football’s return and now the rest of the Goulburn Valley League is on notice.

The Magpies underlined their status as a premiership contender on Saturday with a thrilling 16-point win over Echuca, who will welcome back more key figures in coming weeks.

But it was the debut of former WAFL and VFL midfielder Ben Giobbi which could give opposition coaches nightmares in the back half of the season.

In a side littered with top line talent, Giobbi produced a best on ground display to give Magpies coach Scott Rowan every reason to be excited about what his side can produce at the peak of their powers.

“We’ve been excited to get Ben on the park for quite a while,” he said.

“He had a suspension from 2019 which carried over to the start of the year and then he had some problems with his calf. We were ready to pick him when everything got shut down so an extra few weeks have done him the world of good.

“It was a no-brainer to get him to the club with his brother Adam and his three cousins, who he is really close with, playing for us already.

“He’s been a terrific acquisition and we’re hopeful he can keep producing every week for us.”

Formerly of Rowville, Ben Giobbi has made the perfect start to life with Euroa. Picture: Rowville FC

Former Collingwood VFL captain Jack Hellier was also named among his side’s better players as he continued on with his impressive season.

But it was the return of Erishmiilan Uthayakumar to the forward line which was arguably the most critical aspect of the win as he booted three goals.

They proved to be pivotal with Tristan Davies held goalless for the first time this season.

“He’s another guy who had a hindered pre-season due to work commitments,” Rowan said.

“We were really impressed with his start to the season and hopefully he can get a good go at it in the next few weeks.”

Rowan said he was pleased to come away with the four points against a tough opponent given the uncertainty of the last month.

“It was almost round one all over again because we didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

“But the most important thing for us was we finished with four on the bench for the first time this season.”

For Echuca, ruckman Kane Morris once again impressed in a best on ground display for the Murray Bombers while former Carlton star Andrew Walker was also impressive.

Former AFL and state league talents fire

Rochester coach Steve Stroobants will be hoping his performance on Saturday will be the start of a big back half of the season for his side.

The Tigers came away with a thumping 64-point win over Shepparton as the former Coburg forward booted seven goals, his best return of the season.

Former AFL defender Logan Austin also kicked two goals for Rochester.

Christopher Nield has once again impressed for Mooroopna, kicking four goals as his side prevailed by 15 points against Benalla.

The former Tasmanian State League star now has 19 goals for the season.

Kyabram’s dynamic duo of former Richmond forward Kayne Pettifer and Kyle Mueller showed why the Bombers shouldn’t be written off in the premiership race as they kicked seven goals.

Their performances helped the Bombers to a 27-point win over Tatura.

New recruit Kyle Emery, from St Mary’s in the NT, got his time with Mansfield off to the perfect start booting three goals as the Eagles overcame Shepparton Swans by 34 points.

Seymour’s perfect record also remains alive after it got the better of Shepparton United by 28 points with Kier Bol named the best player on the ground.

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Originally published as Euroa’s Ben Giobbi, Echuca’s Andrew Walker impress in Goulburn Valley