You learn more from a loss than you do from a win.
After coming tantalisingly close to becoming undefeated champions, the Lions’ reserves were de-clawed at Deakin Reserve.
Seymour coach Nick Dundon reflected on his side’s hard-fought loss.
“I think it was really still promising for the first half and third quarter,” Dundon said.
“It was a bit like that in the first two (quarters). We controlled a fair amount of the footy and probably just didn’t take enough opportunities when we went forward.
“I think we had four or five extra scoring shots on goal, so it’s probably just a bit of that, not putting on enough scoreboard pressure early in the game and that kept them in it.
“They were really able to drive in that final quarter and come over the top of us.”
Dundon was impressed by his players’ performances across the field.
“Dylan (Cook) was super, absolutely, in that contest,” he said.
“Same with Mitch Waite, I thought (he) was really clean and attacked the footy really well in there and got it out to our runners.
“From there, Cooper Lubeck gave us a fair bit of drive off half-back, which was quite good.
“Mick Dundon and Alex Elliott were chopping off quite well and set marking.
“I thought Gus Garner was also really good up forward, just creating a lot of pressure.”
Despite not getting the desired result, Dundon could see how the experience could benefit future progress.
“Yeah, I definitely do (think it was a good experience),” he said.
“There’s so much upside to this group and the senior group, I think, as well.
“Moving forward, we are still so young, which is the really exciting part about it.
“Some of these players haven’t had the chance to experience a game like this before.
“(We) fell short in the prelim last year and again today.
“I’ve spoken to the group and said, you know, it takes a lot of courage to get beaten in a finals series and come back and go again.
“So, it’s going to take a lot of courage, but I think this group has got it in them to come back again next year.
“Twenty-one out of the 22 that played today have played senior footy this year or last year, so the talent and growth is there.
“It’s now just about how we push forward and how we grow.”