A LATE goal has doomed Seymour to an early exit from the senior football finals on Saturday, ending prematurely a Goulburn Valley League season that had plenty of promise. However, it was better news for the reserves, as well as many of the Lions’ netball teams across the weekend.
The Lions did battle with Mooroopna at Tatura Park on Saturday, and it was an even start, with Riley Mason kicking two goals in the opening term. However, Mooroopna held the lead by one point at the end of the opening term, 21-20.
After conceding the first goal of the term, Seymour started to take control in the second term. Mason added his third, Rory Kennedy kicked one, and so did Jaron Murphy. Mason’s fourth and fifth goals sandwiched Xavier Dimasi’s goal, and the margin was 27 points.
But two late goals to Mooroopna meant the game was still on the line at half time, with Seymour leading 60-45.
The end to the second term was all the impetus Mooroopna needed as the Cats dominated the second term, kicking the only three goals of the term to hit the front by the final change, 65-63.
The last quarter was a goal-for-goal affair as the enormity of keeping a season alive hit both teams square between the eyes.
Kennedy added his second to put the Lions in front, before Jack Johnston responded in kind for Mooroopna.
Jack Murphy kicked a key goal to put the Lions back in front, but it would be Kobie Issell that had the last say, kicking what proved to be the winner for Mooroopna.
The Lions had two chances to win the game, but cruelly missed both chances, including one by Mason with 20 seconds left, and it was Mooroopna who progressed, winning 12.8 (80) to 11.11 (77).
Lewis Lubeck, Tom Maloney, Dylan Cook, Mason and Ben Cooney were all named in the best.
It was better news for the reserves, however, with the Lions keeping their premiership defence alive thanks to a 14-point triumph over Rochester.
The Lions will still have to go the long way around thanks to third-placed Shepparton winning its elimination final, meaning the Lions missed out on the double-chance.
Still, the Lions had Sam Thomson, Rory Scopel, Jackson Mansfield, Jack Radford and Max Lawrence to primarily thank for the victory.
In A-grade, the Lions are still alive but missed out on the double-chance thanks to third-placed Echuca’s win over Shepparton.
The Lions defeated Mansfield 49-39 after shooting away with a 14-8 last quarter.
B-grade are also still alive, with the Lions taking a terrific 53-36 win over Shepparton United.
The third quarter did the trick, with the Lions scoring 15 goals to seven to take a convincing win.
B-reserve has earned the double-chance, taking a 46-28 victory over Benalla, with the Lions dominant from the outset.
The Lions’ only loss on the netball court was the 17-and-unders, who lost 25-33 to Shepparton Swans to bring an end to their season.
