What do you do when a side kicks nine goals against you and holds you scoreless in an opening quarter of football?
Well, you return the favour the next time you square off.
Mooroopna returned serve against Seymour on Saturday with a blistering 4.4 (28) to zip first term but was unable to finish things off as the Lions clawed back to claim a 17-point win at Kings Park in round 15 Goulburn Valley League action.
Both sides wrestled momentum back and forth throughout the contest, with Seymour rectifying its slow start with an impressive five-goal-to-one-behind second term to lead at the main break.
Wind didn’t play a factor in the contest, despite all but two goals coming from one end, as Mooroopna reclaimed a nine-point buffer at the last break.
The hosts kicked clear in the last term to seal a 11.5 (71) to 7.12 (54) triumph which ensured they maintain a two-game gap on third, while the Cats sit in fourth spot ahead of Euroa.
Team barometer Josh Alford was outstanding with his defensive efforts while onballers Jack O’Sullivan and Ricky Schraven didn’t let a poor start to the match affect their output.
Seymour coach Ben Davey was thrilled with his side’s response after quarter-time in the stirring comeback win.
“Yeah we were up against it early,” he said.
“They came out firing; we were really slow to start and they were fired up.
“I thought we equalled up in areas around the ground and we were able to get our hands on more of the ball and got more one-on-one contests.
“Our backs did a terrific job to restrict them to three goals after that first quarter, especially Ben (Cooney) on Nield and Lachie (Waite) on Trengove.
“Mooroopna’s onballers had the better of us early but after that, Jack and Ricky, really led by example and got us on top.”
Michael Hartley and Nathan Fowler contributed strongly with three goals each in the win.
Davey was full of praise for Alford and the work his side’s versatile forward puts in each week.
“Joshy has just been getting better and better each week,” he said.
“He does a lot of important work without the footy with his high pressure.
“He understands the value of his input now and he was terrific for us again on Saturday.”
Mooroopna onballer Bryce Rutherford (one goal), captain Matt Deane and Jed Woods led the way for the visitors.
Both sides enter the upcoming split round with the week off.