Defensive duties: Seymour’s Courtney Aldous looks to block her opponent.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Seymour returned from its bye in powerful fashion at the weekend, defeating Shepparton Swans 43-16 to maintain its stranglehold on top spot of the Goulburn Valley League A-grade ladder.
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Coming out with a ruthless intent, the Lions’ defence strangled the hapless Swans, keeping them to just two goals in the first quarter to set the tone for a 12th win of the season.
Continuing its dominance in the second and third term, Seymour appeared set to put a mammoth score on the board, before a serious injury to a Shepparton Swans player saw the match called off at three-quarter time.
Side by side: Shepparton Swans' Emelia Mercuri and Seymour’s Rosie O’Sullivan wait for play to get under way.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
With the trip to Princess Park always presenting as a danger game, Seymour coach Ellie O’Sullivan said it was a professional performance from her team.
“It was a really physical game of netball, which we expected,” O’Sullivan said.
“We had a full side in which was nice, so it gave us an opportunity to run a few different combinations and it was good to see the girls settle into the game early.
Shooting time: Seymour coach Ellie O’Sullivan goes for goal.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“The intensity we brought to the game I thought was really impressive and I think this performance was just another step in the right direction.”
The win was spawned from a standout defensive performance and O’Sullivan said it was great to see the way the defenders worked together throughout the match.
Eyes up: Seymour’s Jessica Lallo prepares to shoot.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“Even though we didn’t play the last quarter, keeping them to just 16 goals for three quarters was a really impressive effort,” she said.
“Our focus going into the game was dialling up that defensive pressure and all across the court we did a great job of that, forcing a number of turnovers and just making things hard for them.”
Another pleasing aspect of the day was the fact Seymour had a full-strength line-up on court for one of the first times this season.
O’Sullivan said the extra options made for an exciting new look for her team.
In the middle: Seymour’s Casey Adamson looks to start play.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“It was so good (to have a full team out there), it just gives us so many different variations to put out on court,” she said.
“We are a very versatile team, so it is good to just have all those options and fresh legs to be able to run games out.
“The chemistry we showed on the weekend was very strong and we’re hoping it will continue to grow as the season continues.”
Hands up: Shepparton Swans’ Kristy Down looks to defend.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
In terms of standout players, Casey Adamson continued her dominant season through the midcourt with another powerful display, while O’Sullivan was also full of praise for her defensive duo.
“Casey was certainly the standout for us on the day. She created so many turnovers herself and was just everywhere in setting up our attacking play,” she said.
“And I also thought our defensive pairing of Sarah Szczykulski and Nakita Singe were so strong in limiting the Swans’ ability to score.”
