Seymour’s B-grade netballers exited the Goulburn Valley League finals series with a tight loss against Shepparton.
The Lions went into Sunday afternoon’s match-up at Victoria Park in Echuca the narrowest of favourites, having defeated the Bears twice in the season, by one and three goals in rounds four and 15, respectively.
From the opening whistle, it was clear the third encounter between the sides would be as close as the previous two, as the Bears ended the first quarter a goal ahead.
The margin would be reversed at the half, as Ashlyn Webster's dominance in the offensive third gave Seymour the smallest of leads.
The opening passage of the third quarter was one Lions fans could not bear to watch, as an eight-goal-to-two Shepparton run turned the game on its head.
The Lions chased the rest of the quarter with a late flurry of goals, reducing the deficit to a reachable four goals at the last break.
Once again, the Bears would burst out of the blocks with a three-minute-long, six-goals-to-one passage, putting paid to Seymour’s premiership hopes.
When the final siren rang, it was Shepparton seven goals to the better.
The Bears now move on to face the Mooroopna Cats on Sunday on the Lions’ home courts of Kings Park.
While disappointed with the result, Lions coach Kelly Smith was proud of her squad's effort.
“I am so proud of the effort shown by the ladies today and across the season as a whole; it sets us up well for the 2025 season,” she said.
There was better news for Seymour the day before, 70km away in Tatura, as the Lions B-reserve team came away with a solid win against Rochester in the qualifying final matchup.
Undefeated across the season, all the pressure was on the Lions to live up to their billing as premiership favourites against a Tigers outfit they had beaten by 25 goals in round eight.
Finals are a funny thing, however, as the added pressure can lead to unexpected outcomes and the underdog having its day in the sun.
In the first quarter, it looked as though an upset was on the cards, as the Tigers finished the first term in front by four goals.
Seymour rectified the situation in the second term by heading into the main break with a single goal ahead.
The game remained up for grabs well into the second half, as Seymour doubled its margin to two goals by three-quarter time.
The league leaders showed their class and ability to hold their nerve in the fourth quarter as the Lions ran out seven-goal winners courtesy of a 12-goals-to-eight term.
Next up for the Lions is the Euroa Magpies at Kyabram on Saturday, with a grand final spot up for grabs.