Shepp News |
The scoreboard may not have said so but Seymour’s under-18 football side deserved better than a 43-point loss to Benalla in the elimination final on Saturday.
The Lions overcame a slow start to roar to the lead in the second term but were unable to maintain the pressure after the long break at Kyabram.
Seymour started nervously and turnovers proved costly as Benalla kicked the first three goals of the game.
But the Lions settled down in the second term and, led through onballer Jacob Rowland and tireless ruckman Jay Eager, charged hard to take a brief lead.
Benalla led by one point at half-time but with all the goals having been scored down one end of the ground the signs looked ominous when the Saints kicked two quick goals straight after the long break.
However, the Lions fought back with great long-range efforts from Billy Cox and James Wooster to draw level. Just when the game looked there for the taking Seymour couldn’t maintain the pressure, turned the ball over too much and Benalla shot away to what proved to be a decisive break.
The final term was marred by poor discipline with Seymour conceding four 50
Eager was by far the side’s best with a lionhearted effort in the ruck, giving his side first use from the hitouts. Rowlands, Wooster, Tim O’Sullivan, defenders Bailey Gregson and Aidan Sharp, and Alex Simpson were others to shine.
