HOME OF THE MIGHTY SEYMOUR LIONS

The Seymour Lions have bolstered their senior football squad with several recruits committing to the club for the 2025 Goulburn Valley League season. Sam House joins the Den after multiple seasons with Hurstbridge in the Northern Football League and will bolster Seymour’s forward line. House signed with GWS’ VFL and previously represented the Northern Knights in the Coates Talent League. Joining House up forward is Cam Osmond, recruited from Lancefield/Assumption College with the ability to play a high or deep role within the forward line. Also bolstering the Lions’ key position stocks is Tom Gawthrop , a towering 196cm key position player from the Woodend Football Club following junior football at the Calder Cannons. Gawthrop is a versatile player, who can play across centre half back or present as a spearhead forward in front of goals. Another recruit with high level experience is Tom Jeffrey . A 186cm utility, Jeffrey has represented the Aspley Hornets in the NEAFL and the Brisbane Lions in the VFL. A recruit from closer to home is Lachy Beattie , brother of 2024 SFNC B&F winner Nathan, who is joining the Lions after a few dominant seasons with the Yea Tigers. Before that Lachy played across half back with the Whittlesea Eagles, becoming a key player within their back six. Finally, 2024 KDFL McNamara Medallist Rielly Old has been recruited from Nagambie. Rielly is a big-bodied midfielder who will add great versatility to the Lions midfield group this season. Lions’ Senior Co-Coach Jack Murphy said the club was excited about the prospects of the senior group in 2025. “We had a bit of a mixed season last year with injuries and some lapses in games which cost us a place in the top six,” Mr. Murphy said. “We’re pleased to have retained the majority of our squad from last season, and with a young list, there is still plenty of growth ahead. “Thanks to some injuries, we were able to blood a lot of Under-18s players in senior footy last year, and it will be pretty competitive for spots come the start of the season. “All our new recruits have great footballing experience and IQ and will add plenty to our senior squad. “We’re still working on a few players and hope to have some announcements in the month ahead.  “We’re looking forward to getting through the rest of pre-season and putting our best foot forward in Round 1.”

The Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC) has announced its A Grade netball squad for the 2025 Goulburn Valley League (GVL) season. The Lions will be looking to once again challenge the best teams in September after being defeated by Echuca in an Elimination Final last year. In a massive boost for the Lions, star netballer Casey Adamson has been appointed playing Head Coach. Adamson, previously a professional netballer, will draw on her extensive experience which includes stints at the Collingwood Magpies in the Netball Super League and Boroondara Express in the Victorian Netball League. Adamson is looking forward to the return of netball on April 5 and her new coaching role. “We’ve got a great squad once again this season and we’re all eager for Round 1 to come around,” Ms Adamson said. “Last year was a bit disappointing, going out in an Elimination Final and I know the girls are eager to push deeper into finals this year. “I’m excited to step up into the Head Coach role and think I’ve got plenty to give to our entire netball department, from A Grade down to Under 15s. “Ellie Fuhrmeister has done a fantastic job over the past few seasons and it’s all about building on her work and seeing how far we can go this year.” The A Grade squad remains largely unchanged from last season, with Adamson returning from injury and Lucy Zotti making the step up as a full-time A Grade player. “Personally, I’m so excited to get back on the court with a very strong squad,” Ms Adamson said. “We’ve got fantastic players right across the court and amazing depth through our grades once again. “Lucy Zotti has been a consistent performer for a long time, no matter where she’s played, and her inclusion in the A Grade squad is a testament to the hard work she’s put in. “We kick off away in Round 1, but we can’t wait to return to Kings Park in Round 2 and take on the Swans at home.”  2025 A Grade Squad Casey Adamson (Coach) Olivia Barry Ally Black Bridie Cantwell Ellie Fuhrmeister Ruby Martin Rosie O’Sullivan Sarah Szczykulski Lucy Zotti

Peter Elliott has been announced as the new President of the Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC), taking the reins from Gerard O’Sullivan who stood down as the joint-longest serving President in SFNC history. Elliott had a distinguished career at Seymour as a key position player and was a member of the Lions’ 1991 Goulburn Valley League (GVL) Senior Premiership. His son Alex is also a current player with the club. As the GVL season approaches, Elliott said he was eager to get to work to ensure the Lions have another successful season. “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be involved at Seymour, with a great group of footballers, netballers and volunteers,” Mr Elliott said. “The last few seasons have seen some great results across all our grades, and we’re excited to see the growth in some of our younger players this season. “The club is in a great position at the moment and it’s a fantastic time to be involved in community sport. “I’d encourage anyone who wants to lend a hand to reach out and help the Lions in 2025. We’ve got plenty of roles that could do with some volunteer support, and I can guarantee you’ll get plenty out of your time at the club.” Elliott thanked Gerard O’Sullivan for his contribution to the SFNC across his two stints as President. “Being involved at an Executive level at a club is a very time-consuming role, and it would be impossible to quantify the time Gerard has put into the Seymour Lions,” Mr Elliott said. “He’s been a tireless volunteer as long as I can remember and a fantastic leader across his time as President. “Sandra and the entire O’Sullivan family have been fantastic volunteers, supporters and officials and deserve our thanks. “Local clubs are nothing without top quality volunteers and we’re all indebted to Gerard for his magnificent service.” The Seymour Lions will kick off their 2025 GVL campaign on April 5 away against Rochester before hosting the Swans in their first home game of the season on April 12. Anyone interested in volunteering with the SFNC is encouraged to reach out to Pete Elliott via email at sfncpresident@outlook.com

The Seymour Football Netball Club held its Presentation Night at Kings Park on Thursday September 26, celebrating the achievements of players and volunteers throughout the 2024 Goulburn Valley League (GVL) season. Club President Gerard O’Sullivan congratulated players for their on-field achievements during the season. “We had all our senior netball teams and two of our football teams playing finals which is a fantastic achievement,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “Our B Reserve girls were undoubtedly the stars of the show, going through the season undefeated and claiming the premiership. “There are some really talented young players coming up through both the football and netball and we can’t wait to watch their progress over the coming years. Mr O’Sullivan also thanked volunteers who make every training session, matchday and season possible. “While we are incredibly proud of our players, in many ways presentation night is also about the amazing volunteers who keep our club running,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “We were also able to welcome a new qualified Life Member as a result of Ellie Fuhrmeister reaching 200 A Grade games during the season which is a fantastic achievement.” The Senior Best & Fairest Award has been renamed the Gary Brown Medal, recognising Mr Brown’s decades of service to the SFNC as Club Secretary with Nathan Beattie the inaugural winner. “It was fantastic to be able to award the Gary Brown Medal for the very first time with Nathan Beattie a deserving winner after an incredible season,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “Gary dedicated a huge amount of his life to our club and it’s only fitting to have the Senior Best and Fairest now bear his name. “Once again, congratulations to all our award winner and we look forward to coming back even better in 2025.” A full list of award winners can be found below. Leading Goal Kickers U18s – Heath Lane (33 Goals) Reserves – Julian Morgan (56 Goals) Seniors – Riley Mason (72 Goals) Club Awards Netball Appreciation Award – Kelly Smith Lenny Brown Best Netball Club Person Award – Gen Pearce Lions Pride – Paul Lewis Best Club Person – Clint Rose Eamonn O’Connor Award – Nathan Fowler Life Membership Ellie Fuhrmeister (200 A Grade games)

GRAND FINAL - O’SULLIVAN BUILDERS B RESERVE Seymour 43 v Rochester 30 The Lions were a few goals down early before Toni Bootland stepped on and took control in defence, taking crucial intercepts that allowed the Lions to go into the break at quarter time ahead. All the girls gave 100 per cent throughout the game with strong leads and accurate passing into Shona Gesler and Mia Allen in the ring. Toni Bootland, Sarah Waite and Sophie Munro worked so hard in the defensive end, constantly putting pressure on the Rochester goalers. Grace Barry, Casey Drummond and Layne Lewis carried the ball down the court with efficiency, controlling the mid court. The Lions had the game under control at three quarter time and enjoyed the last quarter, knowing they’d finish the day with medals around their necks. Congratulations to Courtney Aldous on coaching an incredible undefeated season and well done to Toni Bootland who was adjudged Best on Court by the umpires. What a team and what a season!

PRELIMINARY FINAL - O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 5.9.39 v Rochester 9.10.64 The Lions headed up the GV to take on Rochester for a spot in the Grand Final and were greeted by typically windy conditions at Deakin Reserve. The beginning of the first quarter saw the Lions dominate play, however they were unable to apply scoreboard pressure before Rochester finished the term strongly. In the second term the boys were able to get back into the game with Dale Short kicking a pearler of a goal from long range. The third quarter broke the Lions with Rochester kicking three goals to one, allowing them to head into the last with a lead that proved too much for the boys to claw back. Tayte Lewis showed his usual determination around the contest and Jonty Mann played his best game of the season. The backline found themselves under heavy pressure throughout the game with Clayton Salmon and Jack Glen tireless all day. Jaxon Lantzke stood tall once again around the contest, but it wasn’t enough to get the Lions over the line. Another fantastic season from the Reserves with a huge thanks due to Dundo and Pete Elliott for their work throughout the season, alongside Team Manager Michael Salmon and a great group of volunteers. Best: T Lewis, C Salmon, J Mann, J Glen, J Lantzke Goals: J Morgan 2, D Short 2, F Rutherford 1

The Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC) has announced its A Grade netball coach and Senior Coaches for the 2025 GVL season. Current Senior Coach Ben Davey has recommitted to the role for another season and will be joined by Jack Murphy who has made the step up from Senior Assistant Coach to Senior Co-Coach. The duo will continue to draw on their extensive football experience—Davey with his senior GVL premierships and time in North Melbourne’s coaching ranks, and Murphy with his considerable career in the VFL. SFNC President Gerard O’Sullivan said the club was thrilled to reappoint Davey and Murphy for the 2025 season. “Ben has been huge for our club since returning as Senior Coach and we’re so lucky to have a coach of his knowledge, experience and passion at The Den,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “Murph has put in an incredible amount of work as a Senior Assistant Coach over the past couple of seasons and his promotion reflects his dedication to the Lions.  “We have full confidence in both Ben and Murph and look forward to a successful 2025 with them in charge of a fantastic group of young footballers.” Following Ellie Fuhrmeister’s recent resignation, the SFNC has appointed A Grade star Casey Adamson as the new A Grade coach. “Casey has been a superstar player for a long time at the Lions and is eager to take on the coaching role,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “She’s played professional netball and knows exactly what it takes to taste success in September. “To be able to appoint such a quality netballer as A Grade coach from within our ranks is fantastic for the club.”

The Seymour Lions’ Head Netball Coach Ellie Fuhrmeister has announced that she will step down from the role following the conclusion of the 2024 GVL season. Fuhrmeister took the reins in 2022, overseeing an unprecedented clean sweep of all three senior netball premierships that year. Over her three seasons as Head Coach, all Seymour senior teams have gone deep in September with the club firmly established as one of the powerhouses of the netball competition. While she took over as Head Coach in 2022, Fuhrmeister has experienced coaching every grade at the club from Under 15s to A Grade, played in three A Grade Premierships, including one as captain, and represented the GVL in Interleague netball over three seasons. Fuhrmeister’s achievements as both a coach and a player have her sitting comfortably among the Lions’ finest netballers. While she’s stepping back from coaching, Fuhrmeister remains committed to the club as a player for the 2025 season, hoping the Lions can once again feature at the business end of the season across all grades. SFNC Statement: Ellie has been a crucial part of our club as a player and coach over a long period of time and we’re incredibly grateful for the work she’s put in. Our club’s netball program has gone from strength to strength under Ellie’s leadership and as a coach she leaves a lasting legacy on our club. Since Ellie’s A Grade debut in 2013 she’s been a crucial member of our club both on and off field and we’re proud to call her a Lion. The three senior netball premierships the Lions took home in 2022 stand alone as the greatest netball achievement in GVL history. Ellie is a Lion great through and through and we can’t wait to see her back on court in a playing role next season.”

SEMI FINAL - Janelle Puppa Real Estate UNDER 18s Seymour 10.10.70 v Shepparton 11.12.78 Best: T Wardley, D Davis, L Cavigan, C Powell, J Porter Goals: H Lane 3, O Munro 3, D Davis 2, R Kennedy 2 SEMI FINAL - O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 2.7.19 v Echuca 17.13.115 The Lions knew they were in for a tough game against the top of the table Echuca and they proved too strong from the outset, putting the Lions on the back foot after a five goal first quarter. While the boys improved their effort and attack on the footy in the second term, they were unable to hit the scoreboard themselves. Down back, Clayton Salmon and Jack Davey fought hard all day under enormous pressure, while Tayte Lewis and Max McLean didn’t back down all day. Alex Elliott was best on for the Lions, picking up plenty of the footy around the ground. The boys are fortunate to have a second chance and will play off next week for a spot in the Grand Final and a rematch against Echuca. Best: A Elliott, T Lewis, J Davey, C Salmon, M McLean Goals: R Graham 1, S Thomson 1