Barnburner does not even begin to describe the match between Seymour and Shepparton United in the GVL Reserves grand final on Sunday, September 24.
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The Lions went into the game looking to pull off a perfect season but, if the preliminary final was anything to go by, the game was going to be tight.
A five-goal swing in the final spell saw the Demons come from behind to clinch the flag — 8.10 (58) 11.5 (71).
The Lions started the game on top.
Seymour captain Max McLean found space inside the forward 50 and bent a kick through the sticks for the first major of the match.
The Demons took to the challenge — Levy TeJones snagged the Demons first from the forward right pocket.
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What a moment: Shepparton United players celebrate the win. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 7
Quick kick: Seymour’s Lucas Cannizzo. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 7
Showing support: Shepparton United supporters show their support. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 7
Head over the ball: Shepparton United’s Levy Tejones. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 7
Eyes on the ball: Shepparton United’s Edward Adams and Seymour’s Max McLean. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 7
In the zone: Shepparton United’s Jake Zerbato. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 7
Dee-light: GVL Reserves premier Shepparton United. Photo by Megan FisherMinutes later, Duane Hueston was given the free at the top of the goal square.
The subsequent goal gave Shepparton United the lead.
Both sides kicked behinds towards the end of the quarter and the Demons went into the first break five points in front.
The message from Seymour coach Nick Dundon at quarter-time was to get the ball deeper and lock it in.
“We’ve got to be hungrier,” Dundon said.
The Lions started the second spell in better form but could not convert dominance into points.
After nine minutes, Dylan Cook had the Lions’ first major of the second quarter.
Things kept heading Seymour’s way and a downfield penalty gave Benjeman Tarran the ball at the top of the square.
The Lions extended the lead to 10 points.
The lead was reeled by Jamahl Clarke who found himself with the ball at point-blank range.
The Lions led by four points at the major break.
Tom Davey got the Lions off to a roaring start in the third, kicking a goal after a bullish run by Todd Lawrence.
The Demons quickly replied as Clarke kicked his second.
A holding penalty gave Gus Garner a shot at goal from the top of the square, sending the Lions’ lead back out to 10 points.
The Seymour assault on the forward 50 continued and Lawrence had the Lions further in front with his goal.
As the quarter progressed, the Lions opted for slow build-up play, always finding players free in mid-field.
A shot across the face of Seymour’s goal, as the siren sounded, was a warning for things to come in the final quarter.
Dundon still wanted his players to get more balls over United’s defence in the final period.
“We’ve got to match them,” he said.
“Thirty minutes, that’s all, 30 minutes.”
United’s Ramadan Yze had other plans.
He single-handedly dragged the Demons back into the game with two goals in the opening stages.
Mitchell Waite stemmed the Demons’ onslaught with a goal for the Lions, but Tejones responded quickly with his own major.
The game was back within a goal.
It was not long before United had another mark just to the left of the goals and Yze drew the game level.
After sustained pressure from United, Jamie Atkinson found space and snapped the ball through to kick his side ahead.
Seymour captain Julian Morgan was given the chance to bring his side back level after a holding call.
He slotted the goal from 40m out.
Another chance went the Lions’ way when Tate Lewis marked on the edge of the 50m arc.
His decision to hand the ball off to a teammate looked like a stroke of genius but the Lions were left wondering what could have been when as Demons smothered the ball headed for goal.
The game was still alive.
A point for Mitchell Oliver looked like it would be handy for the Demons, but they did not need to rely on it for long.
A long ball landed in Jake Zerbato’s hands and he kicked the goal to give the Demons an unsurpassable lead.
Seb Pellegrinohe added to the lead with a goal as the Demons claimed a 13-point win and got their hands on a flag.