A bruising encounter from start-to-finish, the GVL Data from that clash at Mansfield Recreation Reserve showed two very evenly matched teams, with a final-quarter blitz seeing the Eagles soar to a memorable six-point triumph.
Sporting two of the league’s top on-ball brigades, the battle of the midfield was incredibly interesting for most of the day, with the clearance and contested possession counts both even at the final change.
But with a raucous home crowd behind them, the Eagles’ prime movers rose to the challenge around the stoppages in the final term, getting well on top of a weary Lions unit to go plus 16 in contested possessions and propel them inside 50 on 20 occasions to Seymour’s five.
Seymour coach Ben Davey said it was injuries that took their toll in that final term.
“It was a great game, I remember that, and it was a great effort from our guys to put us in a position to win,” Davey said.
“Just in that last quarter we lost four guys and they just ran straight over the top of us.”
This game showed that there are no two teams in the GVL more similar than Seymour and Mansfield, with their season stats indicating two teams that love to control the ball and punish their opposition in transition.
The Lions currently sit number one in the league for marks, taking 98.9 a game, while Mansfield is in fourth, taking 85.7.
They are also the league’s best two teams at distributing the ball by foot, sitting equal top in kicking efficiency at 66 per cent.
Key stats: Mansfield v Seymour Round Two
Disposals
Mansfield: 264
Seymour: 251
Contested Possessions
Mansfield: 128
Seymour: 113
Marks
Mansfield: 64
Seymour: 65
Inside-50s
Mansfield: 46
Seymour: 40
Owens said the similarities between his side and Seymour were staggering.
“This week is certainly going to be an interesting game because us and Seymour are the two teams that are the most like each other in the league,” Owens said.
“The way Seymour are playing now they are a massive threat to the rest of the competition, so we will have to be on to stop their transition play.”
A game set to go down to the wire, the exploits of one player could be enough to tip the scales, and when it comes to game breakers there is arguably none more impactful than Seymour midfielder Jack Murphy.
Collecting a league-high 309 disposals over his 10 games this season, at an average of 30.9, Murphy has been a model of consistency for the Lions.
But what is more impressive is how he uses the ball, going at 76 per cent by foot and 88 per cent by hand, and his ability to have an impact on Seymour’s ability to score.
At a glance
Jack Murphy in 2022
Disposals: 30.9
Marks: 7.8
Handball receives: 9.4
Kicking efficiency: 76%
Handball efficiency: 88%
Owens said shutting down Murphy would go a long way to his team winning the game.
“Jack has been one of the best players in the competition this season and we know if you let him run free he’ll punish you,” he said.
“So we will without doubt have a plan in place and have someone running with him on Saturday.”
Seymour takes on Mansfield at Kings Park on Sunday afternoon with the first bounce at 2pm.
