Shepp News |
Mooroopna coach Blake Campbell used Seymour’s giant-killing run to last year’s grand final as inspiration for his players in the aftermath of Sunday’s loss to Kyabram.
The Cats fell to back-to-back losses with the 26-point result and their four wins from eight Goulburn Valley Football League matches have them in seventh place.
The season began with a 45-point loss to Shepparton Swans and there were similar scenes on Sunday, when the Bombers torched Mooroopna through the middle with their run.
‘‘The depth in the midfield isn’t there,’’ Campbell said.
‘‘Dean Smith, a kid in his first year in the under-18s, gave us a little bit in there, but we’re going to have to work something out to give us another guy who can go through there.
‘‘We thought if we got enough footy inside 50, we were a chance to win the game.’’
Rob Osborne kicked five goals and could have been every bit the match-winner Paul Newman was at the other end if afforded the same supply.
‘‘We’re too cute in the ruck at times and it just doesn’t work for us, but once we started punching the ball, miraculously, we started getting on the end of it,’’ Campbell said.
‘‘We’re winning the taps, but .
‘‘We had one quarter where we were on top in the clearances and we outscored them.’’
Newman kicked six goals from 14 scoring shots, but opponent Jason Roe, who played 50 AFL games for Brisbane, drew plaudits from Campbell and Bombers coach David Williams.
‘‘Roe really struggled in his first game last week — from watching on the DVD — when he was out at centre half-back, but he’s a pretty smart sort of player,’’ Williams said.
‘‘He’s a good reader of the play and will be a good player (in this league).’’
Campbell again raised unaccountability and fitness issues with the Cats’ playing group.
He realises the likelihood of a high ladder position is just about gone, with Benalla, Tatura and Shepparton United already with seven wins and Kyabram with six — hence the Seymour comparison.
The Lions finished sixth with a 9-9 record last year before three consecutive upsets launched them into the decider.
‘‘We know our best can compete with anyone in the competition, but we know, at our worst, we can get beaten by anyone,’’ Campbell said.
‘‘We have Seymour this week and every week is make or break. We’ve got to beat them — it’s a big week for the footy club.’’
Shayne Lynch (Achilles) missed the Bombers clash and will likely also be out against the Lions.
