The Lions travelled to the High Country as firm favourites, and more than adequately delivered on that expectation, dishing out a 73 to 25 drubbing of the Eagles to cement themselves in second spot on the ladder at the end of the round.
It was clear from the opening possession that Seymour was a class above Mansfield, pouring in 19 goals while dominating on the defensive end, allowing the Eagles to put just six goals on the board by the first break.
While the free-flowing scoring from the Lions slowed down a touch in the second, adding a comparatively modest 14 to their tally, they were even more ruthless in their defensive efforts, restricting Mansfield to just four goals for the term, leaving the score at 33 to 10 at the main break.
Not content with simply securing the four points, Seymour opened the floodgates in the third term as it became clear a significant percentage boost was there for the taking, extending the margin by yet another massive chunk to carry a 37-goal lead into the final term.
Saving the best for last, the Lions recorded a game-high 21-goal effort in the fourth quarter, although Mansfield also put together its best term with 10 of its own, as Seymour clinched a mammoth 48-goal win.
Ally Black was the Lions’ best, displaying great accuracy inside the circle to finish with 26 goals for the game, eclipsing Mansfield’s total, while Ellie Fuhrmeister and Rosie O’Sullivan contributed brilliantly also.
2023 Wellman medallist Sarah Szczykulski returned for her first match of the season and will only further bolster the Lions defence as she adds more time on court, while under-17 players Ella Zotti and Taylah Mason impressed when they stepped into the line-up, indicative of the squad depth the Lions possess.
The win ensures Seymour sits second with only percentage separating it from reigning premier Euroa, with the two sides to meet this weekend in a top-of-the-table clash that should provide the Lions with a solid understanding of where they are at.
There is plenty at stake, too, even if it is only round four, as the first-versus-second clash has the potential for the winner to create a one-game buffer between itself and the rest of the competition, depending on the result of the third-vs-fourth clash between Shepparton Bears and Mooroopna.
While Euroa has the highest cumulative total of goals scored across the first three rounds, Seymour ranks second, but has the edge on the defensive end, allowing just 116 goals as the second-stingiest defence behind Mooroopna (114 goals against), whereas Euroa ranks fifth (128 goals against), which will make for an intriguing contest come Saturday.
