A lot happier — that was new Seymour football coach Shane Robertson with his troops after the Lions’ second and, a little unexpectedly, last practice game on Saturday.
Seymour was always in control against Bendigo league side Gisborne at Kings Park, running out 14.10 (94) to 10.12 (72) winners in a five-quarter game.
For the record, it was 13.7 (85) to 8.8 (56) after four quarters, but the damage was done early, with the Lions getting 13 goals in the first three terms.
Saad Saad kicked another six goals, giving him 13 in two games, while Will Brock grabbed two and there were singles to Paul Colbert, Jacob Rowlands, Gerard Liddell, Brad Deed and Dylan Scopel.
Hugh Roberston, Saad, Liddell, Robbie Douglas, Ash Walsh, Rowlands, Tom Freeman and Brock were among the side’s best.
Hugh Robertson has made the step back up to senior football easily, if the pre-season games are anything to go by.
Although boosted by the return of Colbert and Douglas, most of the side were the same younger players who fronted for the previous week’s loss to Wangaratta Rovers, and they showed they’d learned some lessons.
‘‘They were raw last week and they were probably a bit intimidated by senior footy then but (against Gisborne) I thought they played with a lot more intent,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘Their ability to win the contested ball was very good and that basically set the scene for the rest of the day.’’
The Lions will round out preparations for the GVFL with an intraclub game. The final practice game was meant to be against Bacchus Marsh side Darley, but it pulled out, leaving Seymour with a three-week break between the Gisborne game and opening round clash with Mansfield on April 6.
Paul Colbert made his first appearance for the year on Saturday.
