Inspiration can come from the unlikeliest of sources ― just ask Seymour coach Ben Davey.
The Lions’ seniors watched on as the club’s undefeated reserves side got the shock of its life from Shepparton Swans and it was enough of an incentive to spur Davey’s side on to make it nine consecutive wins.
Seymour went on to pile on 37 points in the first quarter, the needed start to repel a rapid and youthful Swans outfit.
Davey spoke highly of the visiting side following a 14.11 (95) to 7.11 (53) win.
“As always with the Swans, the scoreboard doesn’t really reflect how they’re going ― they’re a pretty good team,” Davey said.
“They’re very young and quick, play a really high-tempo game.
“It was a challenge, it was probably that first quarter we were very clean and were able to get a break on them on the scoreboard which is what you need against the Swans.
“If you don’t get that, then it’s just such a hard game style to keep up for four quarters.”
Davey’s rev up at Princess Park started well before 2pm.
With the Lions’ twos down at three-quarter time, the Seymour leader spoke to his senior leadership group and urged them to leave complacency at the door.
Their reponse spoke volumes.
“Nah, that’s not going to happen to us,” Davey said about his players’ retort.
Seymour’s midfield brigade showed all its silk and class in the first quarter to assume the lead, though the second quarter was much closer in nature.
The Swans won the second term 17-14 with their fast-running game starting to show through, but Seymour, as good teams always do, muscled back authority as the game went on.
Davey’s instruction to his players was to not be lured into tackling Swans’ nimble mids.
Instead, the tactic of corralling and slowing up the visitors’ ball runners proved a masterclass as Seymour broke away with four goals in the final quarter to take the game away from Swans.
Though the travellers remained valiant in defeat, Davey was quick to acknowledge that.
Despite missing key midfielders Zac Banch and Nathan Hrovat, the Seymour leader had this to say about the young Swans’ potential.
“If they had a big ruckman and a big key forward, I reckon they’d nearly be battling for a finals spot,” he said.
Among the better performers was Seymour star on-baller Jack O’Sullivan who showed all his acumen, racking up 30 disposals, while Riley Mason led the line for the home side with three goals.
For the Swans, Rylen Damianopoulos and James Auld kicked two apiece.
Looking further to September action, Davey issued a statement which may be somewhat of a warning to the other finals-bound outfits.
“I was saying to the guys, how good is the feeling to know that the weather’s turning, finals are close and you know you’re going to be a part of it?” he said.
“And not just be a part of it, let’s shape it and let’s make it happen. The boys are primed.”