Mansfield Recreation Reserve has been a difficult place to play in recent years for Seymour and it looked like that would be the case once again on Saturday afternoon in the Goulburn Valley League’s Indigenous Round.
In a game full of lead changes it was a final quarter swing in ascendency that had the Lions come from behind to beat the gallant host 10.7 (67) to 7.12 (54).
Lions co-captain Dylan Scopel was classy across half-back with 20 disposals and his leadership was pivotal in his side’s late run for the lead which included a match-winning six-goal final term.
Midfield gun Jack O’Sullivan and defender Ben Cooney provided support, while Riley Mason was able to get on the end of a few and finished with four majors.
Mansfield’s Frazer Dale starred with 28 disposals, 18 of those contested, along with eight clearances and eight inside 50s.
Teammates Harry Mahoney (20 disposals) and Tom McDonagh (47 hit-outs) gave valuable support.
Seymour coach Ben Davey was impressed by his players’ maturity when it came to getting over the line in unkind conditions.
“Initial thoughts were that we did a fantastic job,” Davey said.
‘At three-quarter time we were three goals down and in those windy and wet conditions it can seem like a lot, a whole lot.
“It had definitely been a close game, but there was one end that had the breeze and if you had that it definitely favoured you and we had that in the last quarter, so we knew three goals wasn’t too much, but to kick six and really stamp our authority on the game is fantastic.
“I thought it was a real mark of how far this team has come because it could easily have been you’re in terrible conditions, you’re an hour-and-a-half away from home, you’ve won plenty of games and this probably doesn’t affect your position on the ladder.
“The resolve of the group to stand up at the last quarter, led by Dylan, was outstanding and it was just a matter of time until the dam wall was going to break.
“Everyone on the field was 100 per cent committed to not only winning, but kicking the game away.”