And while many would turn to returning spearhead Michael Hartley to provide that welcome boost, it was forgotten Lion Bior Malual who rose to the occasion, putting together a scintillating performance at Kings Park.
Returning to the Seymour line-up for the first time since round one due to his commitments with Werribee, Malual showed just how valuable he is, providing the run and creativity his team sorely lacked just seven days earlier.
So through the power of GVL Data, we have decided to delve a little bit deeper into the impact the versatile utility had on the Lions’ eighth win of the GVL season.
When it comes to analysing a player’s influence on a game, the eye immediately goes to the disposal tally, with Malual certainly finding his fair share of the ball to finish with 30 touches for the day.
But it is one thing to gather disposals and another to have an impact with ball in hand, and it is in this area where Malual excelled.
Sporting an impressive kicking efficiency of 67 per cent, Malual got it on the boot as much as possible, recording 21 kicks and nine handballs as he consistently broke the lines and surged Seymour forward.
At a glance
Bior Malual vs Kyabram, round 14
Disposals: 30
Kicks: 21
Handballs: 9
Kicking efficiency: 67 per cent
Uncontested possessions: 20
Marks: 9 (all uncontested)
Handball receives: 10
Inside 50s: 6
His game-breaking ability could be seen in his game-high 10 handball receives, allowing him to send the Lions inside 50 on six occasions.
His work on the outside of the contest, an area where Seymour was smashed last week, was also exceptional, spreading hard to take nine marks (all uncontested) and pick up 20 uncontested possessions.
This helped Seymour dominate the uncontested areas of the game, winning the marks count 103-59 and uncontested possessions 214-128, two areas it has prided itself on in 2022.
Key stats
Lions uncontested dominance
Uncontested possessions
Seymour: 214
Kyabram: 128
Marks
Seymour: 103
Kyabram: 59
Uncontested marks
Seymour: 96
Kyabram: 45
Handball receives
Seymour: 89
Kyabram: 56
As the Lions continue their charge to September, it is uncertain whether Malual will have much of a part to play as he continues his VFL campaign. But if he does don the maroon and blue again, expect him to be a crucial cog in his team’s premiership hopes.