The 2024 B-reserve Goulburn Valley League grand final was replayed in the 2025 preliminary final as minor premier Seymour took on underdog Rochester at Deakin Reserve.
The Tigers had made an impressive finals run from fifth, eliminating the higher-ranked Tatura and Shepparton United over the previous fortnight, but couldn’t keep the momentum going against the Lions, going down 38-24.
Rochester was firing early and it looked like the upset may be on.
After Seymour drained four of the first five, the Tigers finished the opening period on a 10-4 run, leading 11-8 at the first break.
The second term was an arm wrestle as Rochester clung to its lead.
The sides traded goals for the first part of the term in a defence-led quarter for both sides, but Seymour was eventually able to find its groove late and edge two ahead at the half.
The game began to slip away from the Tigers during the third, as Seymour’s defenders continued to be disruptive.
Rochy found its way to the goal four times in the term and found itself down six going into the last.
It was a trend that would continue in the fourth as Seymour ran away with the game, ending the Tigers’ gritty finals charge.