Echuca entered the clash following strong recent wins against Mooroopna and Shepparton United, with an unblemished 6-0 record to start the season, making it the favourite away to a Seymour side that had already lost twice to other finals contenders.
Clearly high on confidence, the Murray Bombers punched first at Kings Park, kicking the first two goals, though Seymour immediately responded with two of its own, with the two sides trading another major each to leave only a point separating them at the first change.
The second quarter was much more of a slog, as Seymour kicked a goal early before the two teams exchanged a series of behinds, though a major for Liam Gronow just before half-time had Echuca back in front, and it took a 4.7 (31) to 4.5 (29) lead into the main break.
Last round, the third quarter belonged to Echuca, but this time it would be its opponent that came out stronger in the second half, as Seymour kicked the first two goals of the term.
In a thrilling see-sawing clash, roles reversed from the first quarter as the Murray Bombers responded quickly with two majors, but another goal for the hosts before the final change had them 10 points up heading into the fourth and left Echuca with work to do.
Two weeks prior, Simon Maddox’s team had produced a strong final quarter to confirm victory over Mooroopna, so it was not in uncharted territory, and an early fourth term goal for Malik Gordon had Echuca only four points down with plenty of time remaining.
But in another momentum swing, Seymour would run out the remainder of the match the stronger, shocking Echuca with an unanswered six-goal blitz, which when finally ended by a late Baxter Cowley major was only consolation, as the Murray Bombers fell to a 13.14 (92) to 8.10 (58) defeat.
The loss was not only a surprise given Echuca’s form entering the match, but also its recent record against Seymour, with this defeat being its first to the Lions in almost three years.
The Murray Bombers did not fall on the ladder — still sitting second — but they are now a game behind first-placed Shepparton, which prolonged its perfect start to the season by beating Benalla on Saturday.
The league has a general bye this weekend before Echuca faces the Bears in a top of the table clash on May 30, with the break giving the Murray Bombers time to prepare for what will be the most anticipated clash across the competition.
The Game
Scores
Seymour: 3.3, 4.5, 7.13, 13.14 (92)
Echuca: 3.2, 4.7, 6.8, 8.10 (58)
Goals
Seymour: Riley Mason 4, Nathan Fowler 2, Rory Kennedy 2, Jaron Murphy 2, Ricky Schraven 2, Nicholas Quigg
Echuca: Malik Gordon 2, Baxter Cowley, Makai Cronin, Liam Gronow, Lachlan Hogan, Darby Jones, Jesse Tuohey
Best
Seymour: Tom Stapleton, Jaron Murphy, Huw Jones, Riley Mason, Nicholas Quigg
Echuca: Curtis Townrow, Darby Jones, Tom Evans, Aiden Mills, Lachlan Hogan
