Kyabram ends Seymour’s unbeaten run with thrilling one-point triumph

And while there were scenes of jubilation under the Wilf Cox Centre, over in the away rooms it was quiet and sombre.

“The boys are hurting, which is good because it shows how much they care,” Seymour coach Ben Davey said.

“The two sides were so well-matched it was always going to be close.

“(The result) could have been the other way, but we just move on now.”

In a game that will be long discussed for its controversy ― following an incorrect yellow card given to Seymour’s Josh Alford in the first quarter ― it was a free-flowing and back and forth contest.

Kyabram got the better of the starts in a high-scoring nine-goal opening term to lead by five points.

Coach Paul Newman was forced to change his forward structure following a calf strain to club legend Kaine Pettifer which brought his game to an end.

Nothing could separate the two sides during the second term, but it was Kyabram that entered the main break with a six-point buffer.

Seymour’s quick ball movement was on full display in the third term and one of the day’s best passages came as it moved the ball from defence to forward 50 in sublime fashion that ended in a goal to Thomas Davey.

Five points was again the margin at the last break and it took something special from defender James Wooster to give Seymour a slim two-point advantage.

But spurred on by the home crowd, Newman’s band of believers continued to fight until the final siren.

There were blockbuster match-ups across the ground worth the price of admission alone.

In the midfield it was Kyabram jet Will Golds up against Seymour hard-nut Ben Rigoni.

Golds’ pace and ability to hit the scoreboard (three goals) was a standout, while Rigoni’s contested ball work and sensational final-quarter goal ― which gave his side a slim lead until Kyabram maestro Kyle Mueller booted his third goal of the match minutes later ― had onlookers impressed.

Kyabram’s Lachie Smith was outstanding as usual with his trademark intercept marking across half-back, while at the other end Seymour’s Michael Hartley was doing everything to stop Kyabram’s dangerous forward line.

“It was an arm-wrestle all day. For the most part they probably had the game on their terms and the way they wanted to play and we got caught playing their brand for the majority of the game,” Newman said.

“We weren’t able to slow it down, create two, three extra stoppages to help allow us to set up behind the ball.

“We know we’ve got improvement, but it’s a really great win.

“Will Golds was probably one of the best players on the field. He kicked three goals and had the ball on a string.

“Zac (Norris) rucks all day and just competes, Liam (Ogden) is getting better and better each week, Riley (Ironside) played his best game yet and the defence in Lachie and Jase were both fantastic.”