Footballs swapped for sandbags

Pre-season training looked a little different for the Seymour Lions on Monday, with the club’s footballers spotted running around town following last week’s heavy rainfall and flooding.


Thankfully, the town did not see a repeat of the October 2022 floods, with businesses and homes in evacuation zones sandbagged and well-prepared.


Following the Goulburn River returning to below flood level, people across town were left with sandbags and no means to dispose of them.


That’s where the Seymour Lions stepped in, with pre-season training turning into a town-wide clean-up job, picking up and disposing of sandbags at the SES centre.


“We’re thinking of everyone that was impacted by flooding and are incredibly thankful the river didn’t rise to the predicted level,” Seymour Lions President Gerard O’Sullivan said.


“Once the waters receded, we identified as a club that a lot of people had sandbags they didn’t know what to do with.


“Rather than a normal pre-season training session we thought it would be a great idea to get the footballers out in the community and help people dispose of their sandbags.”


The Lions organised tipper trucks for Monday night and got to work.


“A few of the great tradies associated with the club took the time to get their heavy vehicles into action and watched the footballers get to work,” Mr O’Sullivan said.


“Not only does the town look a lot tidier following the clean up we put some extra miles in the legs of our players.


“The players split into two groups and ran roughly eight kilometres each, picking up bags from businesses and homes across town.


“Everyone is looking forward to a new season of football and netball and we’d like to thank the Seymour community for their ongoing support.”

 

Seymour FNC News

By Mitch Itter September 29, 2025
Big news has emerged from Seymour following the conclusion of the 2025 Goulburn Valley League season. Re-signings, new signings, and key appointments have Lions fans excited for 2026. History will be made at The Den, with Senior Co-Coach Ben Davey re-appointed for another season. Davey will become Seymour’s longest-serving senior coach, marking seven years in the role. Club legend Bernie Habermann previously held the record with six seasons. Jack Murphy will also continue as Senior Co-Coach after a sensational first year on the field, taking on additional responsibilities with great success. Seymour President Peter Elliott said the club was thrilled to have continuity in the football department heading into 2026. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have Ben and Murph re-commit for another year, and it’s set to be a huge season at The Den,” he said. “Ben is a legend of our club – a dual senior premiership player, Reserves premiership coach, and now our longest-serving senior coach in history, while Murph is fresh off another Best and Fairest. “Both Ben and Murph are high-quality, local people who will drive our club to new heights next year. “While this season didn’t go as planned, our list is hungry and can’t wait to get back on the track.” A couple of star recruits will bolster the Seymour midfield when pre-season kicks off. “With most of our senior list re-committing early for 2026, we’ve been able to add some exciting new players,” Mr Elliott said. “Xavier Dimasi returns to where he made his senior debut, following time in the VFL at Box Hill and a dominant period at Whittlesea. “He’ll be joined by Jaron Murphy, his former partner in crime from Whittlesea and a great player in his own right, who will add plenty of run and carry to our senior side.  “On behalf of the Seymour community, I’d like to welcome Xavier, Jaron and their families to The Den and we’re all looking forward to seeing them strut their stuff.”
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