Seymour proved last week’s tight four-goal loss to fellow contender Mooroopna was just a small blip on the radar — bouncing back with a clinical 43-34 win over old rival Euroa at Kings Park on Saturday.
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Celebrating coach Ellie O’Sullivan’s 200th game, the Lions were buoyed by a clinical 15-goal second term, as the ladder-leaders proved just how damaging they can be when their offensive ball movement is in perfect sync.
Getting some sweet redemption over Euroa after dropping its clash at Memorial Oval back in round three, O’Sullivan said it was incredibly impressive to see her team respond in such a powerful manner.
At the ready: Euroa’s Milly Treacy.
Photo by
Zac Standish
“Today was a really good effort from our girls, we put a real emphasis on our attack end after a bit of a poor showing last week, and right from the first whistle I thought we connected really well,” O’Sullivan said.
“The mindset of girls was very positive, we knew Euroa were a very good side coming into the game, so we had to limit our mistakes and I thought we did that.
“Losing to them earlier in the year certainly gave us a bit of fire in the belly, and the girls certainly embraced the challenge and played some great netball.”
Taking her opportunity: Lucy Zotti was a standout for Seymour coming up from the B-grade.
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Zac Standish
As rain lightly sprinkled over the Kings Park court, Euroa was up to task in the opening minutes, dialling up the pressure and forcing Seymour into critical mistakes.
With the Lions somewhat out of kilter, the Magpies capitalised, making the most of their attacking opportunities to carry a 12-8 lead into quarter time.
But just as it seemed like an injury-ravaged Euroa could cause an upset, Seymour clicked into gear, with a dominant second term getting the contest back on its terms.
“In the first quarter it just seemed like it was mistakes we were making, we hadn’t quite worked it out in our attack end,” she said.
Sharp hands: Euroa’s Bree Poole.
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Zac Standish
“So we just talked it over at quarter time and then our second quarter was outstanding, we were able to really put the foot down and produce a 15-goal term.
“It was great to see the girls work it out on the fly, reconnect with our ball movement and play some great netball.”
Leading by three at the main change, it was then the defensive end that took over, with a returning Nakita Singe partnering stalwart Sarah Szczyculski to make life incredibly tough for the Magpie shooters.
Star performer: Courtney Aldous was best-on-court following a dominant display in the mid court.
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Zac Standish
Coughing up just 13 goals in the second half, O’Sullivan said it was excellent to have the pair back on court together.
“Our defensive pressure was just superb all day, Sarah and Nakita in that goal circle were just constantly hassling the Euroa girls and making it hard for them to score,” she said.
“Having those two girls in defence gives the rest of the team so much confidence and they combine so well as a pair.”
Not in my house: Seymour’s Sarah Szczykulski defends the goal ring.
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Zac Standish
But while Singe returned to the line up, Seymour was missing VNL pair Casey Adamson and Ella Tenant, opening up the opportunity for other girls to step up and contribute.
“It was so good to see a few different girls stand up without Casey and Ella, Lucy Zotti played the best game I’ve ever seen her play, and it was great to give her the opportunity to come up from the B-grade,” O’Sullivan said.
“Courtney Aldous got our award taking over for Casey in the mid court, her work rate was super and was so important to us getting the win.”
Firing off a pass: Euroa’s Eliza Hoare.
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Zac Standish
Around the courts, a brave Rochester gave Shepparton United a scare at Moon Oval.
Coming into the game as arguably the form side of the competition, United was surprisingly slow out of the blocks, as a fired-up Tigers team took an early lead.
But as all champion sides do, the Demons responded, with 14 goals in the second term and 20 in the third, seeing off the brave Rochester effort as the final score read 56-48.
Setting the tempo: Euroa’s Kellie Davidson.
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Zac Standish
Georgia Walpole, Olivia Kirby and Kara Blizzard were the standouts for the visitors, while Bridgette Holt, Teal Hocking and Charlee Roulston led the way for Rochester.
Shepparton Swans rounded out the weekend’s action with a strong win over Tatura.
A dominant 34-goal opening half would be the catalyst for the eventual 57-42 triumph, with Hannah Garner taking best-on-court honours.
