Seymour had to “win ugly” at the weekend, according to coach Ben Davey, and one glance at the team statistics from the match gives you a fair indication of why the Lions’ mentor believed that to be the case.
The Lions were unable to get everything on their own terms in the 27-point win over last year’s preliminary finalist Mansfield at Kings Park.
Mansfield was able to beat the hosts in most of the key statistical categories and if it wasn’t for their poor use of the footy, the Eagles may have walked away victors.
Both outfits coughed up more than 80 turnovers each. Seymour posted 89 for the match — up from its game average of 60.4 — while Mansfield had 84 turnovers.
However, Seymour was able to score a whopping 12.7 (79) from turnovers, compared to Mansfield’s 7.4 (46), with 9.5 originating from midfield turnovers.
The Eagles won the inside-50 count but their entries went at 42 per cent efficiency and their scoring efficiency was down at 37 per cent.
It was Seymour’s six-goal blitz in the second term that allowed it to gain ascendency.
The Lions had a 69 per cent scoring efficiency for the quarter, won the tackles count, only posted 20 turnovers and booted five goals from turnovers.
Key stats
Disposals
Seymour: 344
Mansfield: 314
Contested possessions
Seymour: 122
Mansfield: 116
Intercept possessions
Seymour: 67
Mansfield: 65
Marks
Seymour: 83
Mansfield: 96
Clearances
Seymour: 33
Mansfield: 36
Inside 50
Seymour: 43
Mansfield: 45
Scoring efficiency
Seymour: 53%
Mansfield: 37%
Turnovers
Seymour: 89
Mansfield: 84
One positive for the game was the performance of star player Jack O’Sullivan.
The damaging onballer, who missed the entire season last year through injury, is back at his elite level and is a main contributor for the Lions.
The 2021 Morrison Medal winner chalked up 37 disposals on Saturday — a season-high — and was a bull around the contest with 20 contested possessions and six tackles.
Understandably, O’Sullivan has slowly built into this campaign, but the gun talent looks to be at his best.
He is ranked elite in hard ball gets, goal assists, pressure acts and score involvements. He sits inside the competition top-10 for the first three categories.
Davey may not have enjoyed everything about the weekend’s fifth win of the year, but you can bet he would be thrilled with the progression of one of his side’s — and the comp’s — top players.