Fuhrmeister brought up 200 A-grade games last year, a feat which made her eligible to receive the honour from the league, which was duly celebrated by a large crowd at Kings Park on Saturday.
With such an achievement being observed, Fuhrmeister’s teammates were more than up to the task before them on court in the form of the Swans, racing out to a three-goal lead at quarter-time, which became seven goals by the half as the Lions surged to a 29-22 advantage in the heat.
While the Lions had the measure of the Swans in the first half, the visitors refused to go away after the main break, making life difficult for Seymour and pulling within five goals at times, although never really threatening to snatch the victory, with the Lions eventually recording a comfortable enough 56-48 win.
The victory ensures the Lions remain unbeaten through two rounds, a win/loss record which new coach Casey Adamson is particularly pleased about given the lack of players at her disposal over the opening few rounds.
“(I’m a) first-time coach, so I’ll take two from two,” Adamson said after the Lions secured victory on Saturday.
“I think they’ve been two really tough games. We’ve been really low on numbers, especially in these first couple rounds, so I think it shows the depth and versatility in our squad as a whole netball team across A, B and B-res.
“We’ve had a couple of outs, so it was great for the girls to potentially be out of position, have some new girls come in and still get those two really good wins.”
The ability to close out the win in what was a really even contest after half-time was another pleasing aspect for Adamson, although she admitted there was work to be done to preserve momentum.
“(I am) absolutely (proud of how the girls closed out the game), and in this heat as well, it feels like 40 degrees out there,” she said.
“To be able to get that momentum and keep that momentum – I think we do need to improve on when we get that run, to keep it going, versus kind of settling (being) those few goals ahead.
“But it is round two, and netball fitness takes a little when you’re back on court, and especially in (what feels like) 40-degree heat, so couldn’t be happier with another win.”
The biggest plaudits were for Fuhrmeister, who produced yet another brilliant game on a day reserved for her recognition, even if she didn’t line up in her preferred position.
“Ellie is amazing. She’s a huge club person, she’s such a nice person off the court and she’s a fantastic player,” Adamson said.
“I think she just brings so much experience and calmness in that goal circle.
“I was just having a chat to her, it’s so funny that a lot of those games she’s played at goal shooter, and obviously we are a little bit short on players, so she got shot out to goal attack in the heat as well for her 200th celebration.
“I think she’s just an awesome person. The way she led our club for those four years when she was coach for those three premierships across B-res, B-grade and A-grade, it’s history making and we are just so lucky to have her at our club.”
The Lions are one of just three sides to remain undefeated through two rounds and will look to make it three wins from as many starts this weekend when they travel to Mansfield for an Easter Saturday clash in the High Country.
