A returning big man has helped boot Seymour off to the best possible start in its 2026 Goulburn Valley League senior football campaign, sending an ominous warning to the competition’s defenders in the process.

The Lions, hunting a return to finals this season following a seventh-placed finish in 2025, were on song from the opening whistle on Saturday at Benalla Showgrounds, proving far too polished for the new-look Saints to record a dominant 16.13 (109) to 8.8 (56) victory.

With plenty of guns firing in the big win for Seymour, it was Riley Mason that stole the show, with the key forward returning full time to the Lions in 2026 after a stint at Collingwood VFL, and looked every bit better for the experience, slamming home eight goals in a monstrous display.

Mason kicked off proceedings with the opening goal of the contest, which was followed up by a major to Lion Lewis Lubeck, as Seymour raced out to a quick start.

The Saints countered through 2025 GVL leading goal kicker Nathan Wright, who booted two goals for the term either side of a second Mason major, with the visitors heading into the huddle ahead 3.4 (22) to 2.3 (15).

Mason was again central to proceedings in the second term, booting another three goals as Seymour began to build a decent advantage, outscoring the Saints five goals to three as the likes of co-coach Jack Murphy and Jack Peris also hit the scoreboard.

New Saint Mitchell Vasterink became involved in the contest, too, the towering big man booting two majors to help keep Benalla in touch, although the home side headed into the sheds trailing by 20 points, behind 36 to 56.

While Benalla started brightly after half time, booting the first goal of the second half through Ethan Maney, it was in the third term that the Lions put the game to bed.

The Saints brought the margin back to 14 points in the opening minutes, but a run of five straight unanswered goals to Seymour saw the lead balloon out to 47 points by the final break, as the Lions exerted all of their class and influence on the contest.

Seymour continued the dominance in the last term to extend the lead again by a further six points by the final siren to win by the eventual 53 points, putting an exclamation mark on a brilliant first up victory.

Murphy and Mason were Seymour’s best in the victory, alongside Dylan Cook, Nic Quigg and Lubeck, with Mason and Lubeck’s return of eight and three majors leading the way in terms of scoring.

Kevin Maroney made a positive impact for the Saints in his first game at the club as his side’s best, while Wright finished with three goals.

The Lions will look to carry the momentum forward when they travel to face Shepparton at Deakin Reserve in round two, while the Saints will regroup for a stern test against Echuca at Tongala Recreation Reserve.

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Tuesday, 25th September 2029

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