Seymour’s under-18 Goulburn Valley League premiership hopes are over after going down to Shepparton by eight points on Sunday.
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With home field advantage and a record of a win and a loss against Shepparton this season, Seymour would have felt confident of causing an upset against the more favoured Bears.
From the outset, it was clear this match was going to be hard-fought as the two sides went goal for goal in an exhilarating first quarter.
Seymour’s Luke Cavigan in action against Shepparton. Photo: Wayne Herring
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Wayne Herring
Despite being behind at quarter-time, Shepparton hit the front in the second with goals to Nehemiah Lemke and Zac Bathman, but inaccurate kicking halted its momentum and it took a 10-point advantage in to half-time.
Keeping with the pattern of the first half, the sides went goal for goal in the third quarter, with Seymour cutting the margin to four points a minute-and-a-half into the quarter, before Noah Muir gave the Bears back their 10-point lead.
With two minutes left in the quarter, Oliver Munro brought the Lions back to within three points before two late goals by Bathman and Ned Frostick gave the Bears a 14-point lead at three-quarter time, their biggest of the game.
Oliver Munro was among the Lions’ best in their loss to Shepparton. Photo: Supplied
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The quarter had brought out tension and stress both on and off the ground for the Lions, which became visible when William Le Deux was yellow carded.
The excitement of the occasion only increased with every minute of the final term, with Bears and Lions fans alike not sure which side would progress to face the Shepparton Swans in the final.
A Liam Teague major four minutes in extended the Bears’ margin to 21 points, which looked like it might be enough until just minutes later when Oliver Munro once again cut it to 15.
A grandstand finish was set up when Dylan Davis cut the margin to seven with minutes left, but Bayden Pohlners gave the Bears breathing space, extending the lead back to 13 points.
Despite Health Lane’s late major for the Lions, the Bears held on to an eight point margin by the final siren to set up a Shepparton derby on grand final day, ending Seymour’s season.
Lions coach Lachlan Waite was able to see the positives in the performance, despite the disappointment of the loss.
“It is not how we pictured our season ending, but the experience and education the boys will take away from this game is something which will hold them in good stead for the future,” Waite said.
Waite is excited about what the future holds for his young charges.
“Six under-18s experienced senior footy this year. That is a wonderful achievement and to know these players will be the ones representing our club and community into the future is very exciting,” he said.
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