Cameron Osmond boots the ball long against Echuca in the reserves’ elimination final. Photos: Wayne Herring.
Despite a fourth-placed finish on the ladder after the home-and-away season, Seymour’s reserves football side will this week play off for a spot in the decider at the earliest chance after a stunning first round of Goulburn Valley League finals at the weekend.
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The Lions earned their shot after a brilliant come-from-behind victory over reigning premier Echuca at Tatura Park, churning out a 6.7 (43) to 4.8 (32) victory in the second elimination final to send the Murray Bombers packing.
It was a slow start to the contest, with Seymour managing one scoring shot to Echuca’s three in the opening term, however the Lions found themselves in the lead at quarter-time after Julian Morgan slotted the only goal in a dour quarter, ahead 1.0 (6) to 0.3 (3) at the first break.
Tyler Clarke and Dylan Davis got the Lions off to a flyer in the second term, opening the margin up to 16 points, before the Murray Bombers put their first goal on the board, cutting the margin back to 10 points, and it remained in Seymour’s favour at the main interval.
But by three-quarter time, the Lions found themselves trailing for the first time since the opening minutes of the first term, going goalless in the third quarter while Echuca nailed 2.4 to take a 26-21 advantage into the final break.
Lachlan Waite (right) was named Seymour's best in the reserves’ elimination final win over Echuca with a solid display at full-back.
However, the Lions were not down for long as Jack Davey put Seymour back in front with the opening goal of the final term, and when Davis and Morgan each added a second for the afternoon, the margin was out to a game-high 17 points with the final siren quickly approaching.
Echuca managed a reply through Fraser Brooks, but it was too little, too late, as the Lions clinched the 11-point win and safe passage to week two of the finals.
Lachlan Waite was named the Lions’ best in the win, putting together a strong performance at full-back. He was joined in the best by Joel Durham, who was superb in the ruck, midfielders Curtis Powell and Davis, and Alexander Elliott, who was rock solid behind the ball.
Over at Moon Oval in Rochester, sixth-placed Mansfield raced out to a 21-point lead at half-time over third-placed Shepparton, and despite the Eagles mustering just one goal in the second half, they managed to hold on to secure a thrilling 6.7 (43) to 6.5 (41) win.
Mansfield’s shock upset means the Lions emerge from the first round as the highest-finishing side from the elimination finals, and as such will take on Kyabram this week at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve in the second semi-final with a spot in the decider on the line, after the Bombers convincingly beat Shepparton Swans by 48 points in the qualifying final.
