GVL | Gallery | Seymour’s season on a knife’s edge following loss to Mooroopna

By Daniel Webb

Aug 1, 2022

Seymour’s hopes of a Goulburn Valley League finals appearance took a major hit at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

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With the Lions needing a victory to maintain their spot in the top six, a sluggish opening half proved their downfall, as Mooroopna all but secured its spot in the finals for the first time since 2014 with a telling 10.11 (71) to 7.9 (51) triumph.

Under pressure: Seymour’s Kyle Winter-Irving is tackled. Photo: Wayne Herring. Photo by Wayne Herring

With Rochester easily accounting for Tatura, Seymour now finds itself in seventh spot on the ladder and must win its last three games to have a chance of featuring in September.

Speaking after the loss, Lions coach Ben Davey said his team had to “go back to the drawing board” and execute its pre-match plan better on the field.

“We knew exactly what they (Mooroopna) were like — really quick, young, a play on and take the game on team with two really good forwards,” Davey said.

Clearing kick: Seymour’s Jack Murphy with ball in hand. Photo: Wayne Herring. Photo by Wayne Herring

“If you let them do that and there is space in the forward line, then you’re in trouble.”

A forward pressure master-class had the home side in the box seat early, with the Cats keeping the ball inside their forward half for much of the first term.

Yet despite the early dominance, they did not kick clear on the scoreboard, giving the visiting Lions a sniff at the win.

Lining them up: Seymour’s Tom Hedley has a shot at goal. Photo: Wayne Herring. Photo by Wayne Herring

While there were some nervy moments in the final term as Seymour cut the margin, at the end of the day the Cats had the last laugh, picking up their 11th win of the season.

Mooroopna coach John Lamont said he was pleased his side showed up to play.

Putting on the jets: Seymour’s Josh Alford looks for an option. Photo: Wayne Herring. Photo by Wayne Herring

“We controlled the first quarter and should’ve had a bigger lead, probably. We didn’t use the ball all that well,” Lamont said.

“I thought our defensive awareness and attitude was spot on, I probably could not have asked for better.

Defensive general: Lachlan Waite takes the ball out of defence. Photo by Daniel Webb

“We just kept our nose in front all day. I thought our intensity around the ball was good, I thought our pressure was good, but at times our composure with the footy and our ball use wasn’t what we would’ve liked.”

Lamont admitted Seymour was on top in the last term, however the Cats applied “just enough” pressure to keep the Lions at bay.

Fraser McElhinney made his debut for Mooroopna in the contest, while Dom Gugliotti, Liam Betson and Lucas Caccaviello stood out.

Give me something: Seymour’s Nicholas Dundon

In terms of bright spots for the Lions, Davey identified Ben Rigoni as a player who performed well on the day, with Nick Quigg and Jordan Angus also putting in good shifts for the losing side.

“We didn’t have a whole lot of players that were good for four quarters,” Davey said.

“I can’t fault the effort of everybody, they all tried so hard, but sometimes it’s about being a bit smarter and cleaner.”