Heading to Mansfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday to take on the high-flying Eagles, a week on from their demolition of 2025 runner-up Rochester, looked a formidable task for the Lions on paper, who were coming off a 40-point loss of their own to Shepparton.
The prevailing notion was that it was going to be the Eagles banking the four points relatively comfortably – all 10 of this masthead’s tipsters certainly thought so at least, with not a single one backing Seymour.
But the Lions disregarded any preconceived ideas about the contest and delivered a resilient, come-from-behind victory on the road, claiming a 12.9 (81) to 9.8 (62) win that has all the hallmarks of a tough, battle-hardened side that can match – and beat - the best.
The 19-point victory wasn’t impressive simply because it happened, but rather how it happened.
While the Lions were able to match it early, trading blows early with Mansfield, the home side managed a run of three unanswered majors before quarter time, taking a 5.0 (30) to 2.1 (13) lead into the main break.
The margin was extended to a game-high 23 points in the early stages of the second term as Brett Mahoney slotted the Eagles’ fourth straight major, and it would have been easy at that point for the Lions to drop their heads.
Ricky Schraven broke Mansfield’s run shortly after, though, and slowly but surely Seymour began to turn the tide, spraying the goal face without a major return.
Riley Mason managed to find the middle of the big sticks eventually as the Lions finished the first half with a flurry, nailing three of the final four goals to reduce the deficit to five points by the main break.
The momentum wouldn’t be quelled after the interval, either, as the Lions delivered a stunning third term to keep the Eagles scoreless while piling 5.3 onto the scoreboard, taking the lead for the first time all afternoon and building a 28-point advantage by the final break.
Mansfield would eat into the margin slightly in the final term, booting a goal either side of Mason’s fifth major, but the Lions proved too good, running out victors by 19 points in a statement win.
Huw Jones was named best afield for the Lions as he continues his strong run of form since returning this season, while Nic Quigg and the Giles brothers, Lachlan and Darcy, were also influential alongside Jaron Murphy, who has proved an invaluable recruit, booting another four majors at the weekend.
The Lions now sit 2-1 to start the year and will look to continue their hot form when they face Euroa this Saturday at Kings Park in their first home game of the season, while the Eagles will look to regroup when they host Benalla on Saturday night under lights.
THE GAME
Scores
Mansfield: 5.0, 7.4, 7.4, 9.8 (62)
Seymour: 2.1, 6.5, 11.8, 12.9 (81)
Goals
Mansfield: Will Kelly 5, Nathan Buchanan, Cody George, Brett Mahoney, Jack Marks
Seymour: Riley Mason 5, Jaron Murphy 4, Dylan Cook, Lewis Lubeck, Ricky Schraven
Best
Mansfield: Dirk Koenen, Tom Dunstan, Will Kelly, Callum Brown, Campbell Smedley
Seymour: Huw Jones, Lachlan Giles, Nicholas Quigg, Jaron Murphy, Darcy Giles
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