Sam Thomson gets a kick away under extreme pressure. Photos: Wayne Herring.
Seymour’s hot streak in the Goulburn Valley League senior football competition has come to a halt, going down to Mooroopna at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve at the weekend.
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Having bounded into the top six with a 4-0 record in the past month of football and coming off the back of a huge victory over 2024 grand finalist Shepparton, the Lions were heavy favourites heading into the clash against the Cats, who had recorded just one win from seven games in a tough start to their campaign.
But in the end it was Mooroopna that proved far too strong, as Seymour lost ground at every break to eventually be on the receiving end of a 50-point loss, the final score of 6.4 (40) to 13.12 (90) painting the picture.
It was one-way traffic in the opening term as the Cats peppered the goals, but for little reward, registering seven behinds before finally breaking through with back-to-back majors to open up a 19-0 lead.
Seymour co-coach Jack Murphy pegged one back for the visitor to reduce the margin to 13 points at quarter-time, but alarm bells were already ringing for the Lions, and it was about to get worse.
The first three goals of the second term — one to impressive young gun Oscar Emanuelli and a pair to Jed Woods — went Mooroopna’s way as the Cats continued to dominate proceedings, the margin ballooning to 36 points in the blink of an eye.
While the Lions managed to find an avenue to goal before the half-time siren, the Cats remained 27 points to the good as Seymour was constantly playing catch-up to remain in the contest.
Nathan Fowler was among Seymour’s best in the loss, providing a strong target all day.
By three-quarter time, however, the result was essentially decided, with another three-goal-to-one quarter from Mooroopna giving the Cats a 9.11 (65) to 4.2 (26) advantage with a term to play.
With their second victory of the year in sight, there would be no letting up.
The Lions conceded another four goals in the final term while adding just two of their own as they slumped to their first loss since round three.
James Wooster (one goal) and Dylan Scopel were among the best for Seymour in the loss, as was Thomas Martin, while co-coach Murphy (38 disposals) was at his industrious best and Nathan Fowler provided a strong target throughout the contest.
While the result is disappointing given their seemingly strong run of form before the interleague bye, the Lions are still well-placed in the fight for the top six, slipping to seventh on percentage but remaining equal on points with Shepparton in sixth and just one game behind Mansfield in fifth.
Seymour will look to return to the winners’ list in round nine when it hosts Benalla at Kings Park on Saturday.
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