Seymour’s A-grade netballers bowed out of the Goulburn Valley League netball finals series with a tight 41-34 loss against Echuca.
The Lions knew a tough task lay ahead of them at Tatura Park on Saturday afternoon, given that the Murray Bombers had comprehensively won their two previous match-ups by 18 and nine goals in rounds 13 and 16, respectively.
Coming off a comfortable 11-goal final-round win over the Shepparton Swans, Echuca showed why it was the favourite early in the contest, taking a four-goal quarter-time lead.
The lead was extended to nine goals at the half, with a desperate Lions outfit making five substitutes across the quarter to find the combination to stem the bleeding.
The decision to move Ruby Martin from goal keeper to goal shooter breathed new life into the contest with a 12-goal-to-six third quarter, setting up a grandstand finish and threatening to ground the high-flying Murray Bombers permanently.
However, the last 15 minutes was all Echuca’s way.
It ran out a seven-goal winner, keeping its quest for back-to-back premierships alive.
The quarter was marred in controversy, with the ejection of Lions centre Olivia Barry from the contest a main discussion point for both Seymour and Echuca fans post-game.
Despite her side’s elimination, Lions coach Elle Fuhrmeister took positives out of the contest and season.
“The loss was disappointing in terms of ending our season, but I am incredibly proud of the fight we showed and that each time we have played them, the scorelines have been closer,” Fuhrmeister said.
The best on the court for the Lions were wing defence Eleisha Saunders, goal attack Ally Black and goal keeper Sarah Szczykulski.
The defeat marks Furhmeister’s last game as A-grade coach for the Lions, with Casey Adamson to take charge from the 2025 season.
Adamson’s impressive resume includes playing in the Lions’ 2015 and 2022 premierships and representing the Collingwood Magpies in the Super Netball League.