Davey and Fuhrmeister to lead Lions in 2024

On the eve of finals, the Seymour Lions have locked in their 2024 Senior football and A Grade coaches with Ben Davey and Ellie Fuhrmeister recommitting for another season.


With all senior football and netball sides having secured a finals berth, the reappointments come off the back of an unprecedented clean sweep of netball premierships in 2022 and Seymour’s two senior football sides finishing the home and away season in the top two.


Both coaches have built strong records at the club with Ben Davey a dual senior premiership player in 1991 and 2005 in addition to coaching a Reserves premiership in 2006. Following his playing career, Davey spent time coaching at the Murray Bushrangers and North Melbourne.


Fuhrmeister is a three-time A grade premiership player and GVL representative with experience coaching every senior and junior grade at the club, all while having played more than 200 games at the Lions.


Seymour President Gerard O’Sullivan said the club was thrilled to have both coaches recommit for the 2024 season.


“Ben and Ellie have played a massive role in our recent success and we’re delighted they’re back on board for 2024,” Mr O’Sullivan said.


“Our netball program has been incredibly well run and coached, evidenced by the remarkable three premierships we took home from Deakin last year.


“Ben has put together a really special group of footballers and we look forward to them having a red-hot crack in September.


“We couldn’t be happier to have Ben and Ellie back next year while being incredibly excited about what’s to come across the finals series.”


Ellie Fuhrmeister said she was looking forward to a big September campaign and the ongoing development of the club’s netballers.


“We’ve got a huge finals series coming up for the netballers with plenty of stiff competition across the league,” Ms Fuhrmeister said.


“We’re coming into the next few months extremely motivated and there’s no room to get complacent. We’ve got a great group and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.


“I’m looking forward to continuing to support our junior sides, watch their development and support them as they become senior netballers.”


Senior coach Ben Davey said the club was in a strong position, with only one game lost between the Seniors and Reserves in the 2023 Home and Away season.


“We’ve got a really strong young group of footballers who enjoy each other’s company. It makes the club a great place to be,” Mr Davey said.


“Importantly our depth and numbers across the reserves means we’ve got plenty of blokes around the club who can step up to senior footy at any time.

 

 “Everyone is pulling in the same direction, and I know our senior side has got some entertaining and hopefully very successful footy ahead of it.


“No matter what happens this September, I’m excited to be back on board for 2024 and pushing this group to keep improving.”

Seymour FNC News

September 1, 2025
Trawool Shed - Cafe, Cottages & Restaurant UNDER 17s Seymour 21 def by Mooroopna 40 Paige Cooper worked hard in the defensive end today, fighting for every ball. Paige had some crucial turnovers and was a great leader out on court. Taylah Mason brought a lot of intensity into today’s game. Her drives were hard and she took a crack at every loose ball. Kyra Pearce had a tough role today in shutting down her player. Kyra worked hard all game and provided great pressure. The loss means the end of the season but we’re so proud of our Under 17s. They have worked so hard and their efforts are not in question. The 17s are keen to come back strong next season. O’SULLIVAN BUILDERS B RESERVE Seymour 45 def United 36 The lions fired early with the whole team’s defensive pressure keeping United to 6 goals in the first quarter, United unable to score in the first 8 minutes of the game. Layne Lewis and grace Barry were steady in the midcourt providing opportunities for the lions. They fed beautifully into the goal circle and led their team to the win. Defensively Ruby Trimble came out with urgency. Starting the game in GK then shifting to WD to run the ball into the attack line. She was outstanding. The team adapted well to changes and kept using variety in order to secure the win. Seymour Hardware Group B GRADE Seymour 41 def by Euroa 42 We started strong and held our space, while being strong in defence. Unfortunately, we were unable to maintain the momentum which saw us struggling at times. Euroa are tough opponents and the girls will regroup and go again. Beer Auto Group Seymour A GRADE Seymour 66 def Swans 47 Seymour delivered a commanding performance in their elimination final #1 against Swans, taking control early with a dominant first half. Rosie fed the goalers beautifully, with both shooters sharing the load-each scoring 33 goals with impressive accuracy. Defensively, Seymour applied constant pressure, forcing Swans into errors and creating turnovers. Ally Black was key, using her speed and ball smarts to set up plays, while Chloe Butterworth made a brief but exciting A-grade debut. Swans' goalers were accurate, limiting rebounds, but Seymour adjusted in the second half and maintained control to secure the win. A clinical performance from start to finish, sending Seymour into the next round of finals.
By Mitch Itter August 30, 2025
The Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC) has announced the biggest netball news the Goulburn Valley has seen in years. Elle McDonald will return to The Den as Head Netball Coach for the 2026 season, after a stellar overseas career that included international caps for England. McDonald is a Wellman Medallist, dual A Grade premiership player and coach with Seymour, a Victorian Fury and VNL Team of the Year representative, and a Melbourne Vixens premiership player. She secured a Super Netball contract with the Adelaide Thunderbirds before moving to the UK, playing with the Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Dragons and represented the England Roses in international competition. SFNC President Peter Elliott said McDonald’s return was a landmark moment for the Club. “Elle is one of the finest players to ever come through Seymour and the Goulburn Valley more broadly, having proven herself on the national and international stage,” he said. “To have someone of her calibre return to lead our netball program is an enormous boost for the entire club. “She brings a wealth of experience from the very top levels of the sport, but just as importantly, she knows our club, our community and what it takes to win in the GV. “Our young netballers will have a role model who has competed against the best in the world and come back to share that knowledge here at The Den. “Elle has been a premiership coach and player for Seymour before, and we are confident she can help drive even more success for the Lions in 2026 and beyond.” Mr Elliott also paid tribute to current Head Coach Casey Adamson, who will step down at the end of the season to take up a Super Netball contract with the GWS Giants. “Casey has made a tremendous contribution to the Seymour Football Netball Club and we are extremely proud to see her take the next step in her career,” he said. “She has been an outstanding leader and mentor for our players and a driving force in developing our next generation of talent.”  “Casey has given so much to the Lions both on and off the court, and we wish her every success with the Giants.”
By Mitch Itter August 30, 2025
Janelle Puppa Real Estate UNDER 18s Seymour 5.1.31 def by Bears 12.12.84 Best: C Carmichael, A Nash, D Davis, H Thomson, R Kennedy Goals: D Davis 2, A Nash 1, A Munro 1 O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 8.5.53 def Bears 6.3.39 Having locked in their ladder position last week, the Lions were ready for a tough hit out ahead of the first week of finals. Following a couple of large wins, the Lions came out determined to take it up to a strong Bears outfit. From the outset it was a tough tussle between the sides but the Lions were able to get the advantage in the first half before the Bears clawed back the lead in the third quarter. In a closely fought final quarter the Lions held on for a 14 point victory. Jack Radford returned in a best on ground performance to seal the league leading goalkicker award. Nick Dundon worked hard around the ground a kicked a fantastic goal from 50 on the run early in the game. Through the middle of the ground Nic Davey, Joel Badger and Joel Brooks were all influential in the final outcome. A great win before heading into a big September. Best: J Radford, N Dundon, J Badger, N Davey, J Brooks Goals: J Radford 3, J Davey 2, N Dundon 1, R Gardner 1, D Davis 1 Seymour Club Seniors Seymour 14.7.91 def Bears 8.13.61 The Lions were out to finish the season with a bang and certainly delivered, ending the year on a winning note against Shepparton. It was a consistent four quarter performance from Seymour, keeping the Bears goalless in the second term to set the game up. Once again, Riley Mason led all comers with five goals up forward, with Darcy Giles and Ben McCarthy lively at his feet. Jack Peris was best on ground, providing plenty of dash around the ground while racking up possessions through the middle alongside Nathan Beattie, James Wooster and Dylan Cook. A great way to finish the year, having missed out on a finals place by one game.  Best: J Peris, J Wooster, R Mason, N Beattie, D Cook Goals: R Mason 5, N Beattie 2, D Giles 2, J Peris 1, N Fowler 1, M McLean 1, L Cavigan 1, B McCarthy 1
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