Fowler may not have been at the coalface winning the ball in that opening term blitz but he was the main man up forward, as he booted three majors in the term and finished with six for the match.
The Wallan recruit had seven touches, three marks inside 50 and five score involvements to go with his scoring output — the most of any player in the term.
“Nath was champing at the bit to get out there today to show what he’s got,” Davey said after the match.
“He’s a beautiful mark and he’s a lovely kick, and he probably could have finished with a few more.”
Key stats
Nathan Fowler
Disposals: 16
Marks: 11
Score involvements: 10
Goals: 6
Fowler wasn’t the only player who ran amok in the first quarter.
Seymour onballers Rory Scopel and Jack O’Sullivan registered nine disposals and two clearances each, while the former chalked up four inside-50 entries.
Former AFL talent Brad Lynch was a standout with eight disposals, three inside 50s and two goals.
The ball movement from Seymour was impeccable.
The Lions went at 81 per cent disposal efficiency — compared to Mooroopna’s 62 — as they ran over the top of Cats.
Seymour kicked three goals from centre clearances while four goals came from midfield turnovers.
Mooroopna finished the first quarter with 17 turnovers to 10, with 11 of them stemming from the midfield.
In true Seymour fashion, the Lions chalked up 29 marks — five of those contested.
Fowler highlighted after the game that starting well had been a major focus at training.
“Benny’s been drilling into us all week about starting well and you could tell right before the game as well it was a lot calmer than other weeks, so I think the boys were pretty switched on and we turned it on, which was good,” he said.
In what was his third appearance for the club — following a concussion in round two — since making the switch in the off-season, Fowler expressed his excitement for the year ahead.
The Lions remain unbeaten and sit in second spot behind reigning premier Echuca after the opening month of action.
“It’s been awesome and I’ve really enjoyed it,” Fowler said.
“I came across from Wallan with Will Brock and Ricky Schraven, so I already knew a few boys up here, but I’m loving it so far and hopefully the season can continue the way it is going.”
First quarter blitz
Disposals
Mooroopna: 51
Seymour: 98
Intercept possessions
Mooroopna: 10
Seymour: 16
Marks inside 50
Mooroopna: 0
Seymour: 9
Centre clearances
Mooroopna: 3
Seymour: 6
Inside 50s
Mooroopna: 5
Seymour: 18
Disposal efficiency
Mooroopna: 62%
Seymour: 81%