Sport
Benalla Seniors undone by in form Seymour in the Goulburn Valley League
It is a part of Australian culture to back the underdog but sometimes you just have to appreciate a team in full flight.
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Those hoping for a close match between Seymour and Benalla at Seymour in the Goulburn Valley League on Saturday were given hope in the first quarter as the Saints looked up for the fight.
But once Michael Hartley — who made headlines with his superb nine goals — and his teammates got on top, the Lions ran out 20.11 (131) to 11.9 (75) winners.
Stand-in Seymour playing coach Jack Murphy was pleased with the overall performance against a plucky Saints outfit.
“We were happy to get back on our big oval against Benalla,” Murphy said.
“It was a good weekend on the track and, in terms of the game, I thought it was a little bit up and down, there were periods of momentum for us and periods of momentum for them.
“I think we were able to capitalise on our momentum a little bit better but plenty to work on across the board both offensively and defensively.
“Credit to Benalla, their first quarter was outstanding around the stoppages.
“They really blew us apart and gave our midfield a bit of a clip so the message at quarter-time was for the midfield to crack into gear and get back on top of the game.
“I think around the ground we were moving the ball okay and doing everything else well, but it was at the coalface that they were able to move the ball out of stoppages and put us on the back foot a little bit.
“They were the ones who started hot and we had to fight our way back into it.”
In a play that characterised the first quarter, Benalla won the first ball up of the day on a muddy centre square and sent the ball inside 50 where Tom O’Brien got the mark and kicked the first goal.
History looked like it was going to repeat itself as the exact same play played out at the restart but this time O’Brien could only manage a behind.
Seymour kicked into gear as the side spread the ball out to the wing and when the ball arrived inside forward 50, Michael Hartley kicked the major from point blank range.
Benalla had more control of the ball in the first quarter but was not able to find the final mark inside 50.
The Lions did not divert from their signature playing style and the team soaked up the pressure and counter attacked efficiently.
Benalla was able to go toe to toe with Seymour for a spell as both teams answered each other’s goals with one of their own.
In the dying stages of the quarter, the Lions kicked two quick back-to-back goals to go into the first break nine points up.
The message from co-coach Mark McKenzie to his Benalla side was that Seymour was going to come out stronger.
“We know the way they want to play, put it deep and switch it,” said McKenzie.
“They will run extremely hard towards their goals, we know that.
“Don’t go back into your shell.”
While the Saints came out knowing the plan, the final stages of the first period foreshadowed Seymour’s strength and in the next two spells Seymour ran away with the game.
The Lions kicked four goals and four behinds in both the third and fourth quarters while holding Benalla to eight points across the two spells.
The game was resurrected in the fourth quarter as the Saints looked to make an unlikely comeback when they kicked the first major and threatened to kick more.
Benalla looked dangerous down its right wing but Seymour was able to force turnovers and and get Hartley on the end of their counter attacks.
The forward was dialled in and he had racked up nine goals come the end of the game.
Benalla kicked two late goals to win the quarter but the game went Seymour’s way to the tune of 56 points.
While Hartley will be happy with his best-on performance, he’ll be wishing his coach had handed him the ball to reach double digits.
“I stole his last one there, I should have chipped it over the top to him but I’ll cop that on the chin and shout him a beer tonight that for sure,” said Murphy.
“He’s definitely a big boy down there (in the forwards), I think he complements Lachlan Waite, Nathan Fowler and a few of the smaller blokes who have a bit of speed.
“I don’t think there were too many players that stood out ... it was a consistent effort across the board.
“I think we’re building nicely and I don’t think we’ve had too many boys stand out this year, it’s just been an even contribution across the board which is good.
“I reckon if you ask every bloke in the rooms if they’re having their best season everyone would say no but they’re all playing at about 85 per cent and across the board that's the depth we have.”
After a top-of-the-table clash at Echuca saw Kyabram drop points in the race for the minor premiership, the Lions and the Murray Bombers remain level at the top as finals start to enter the teams minds.