Gallery | Seymour sees off spirited Shepparton United challenge to further winning streak

Seymour, now sitting third on the Goulburn Valley League ladder and just two points adrift of Euroa, looked primed from the outset.

But if there was any pre-written script, the Demons were prepared to shred it.

Star Lions’ goal attack Ellie Fuhrmeister set the tone early, her sharp timing and accurate shooting helping Seymour skip to a 15-9 quarter-time lead.

United refused to wilt, with Hannah Onley and Abby Gilmore’s work in the circle ensuring the hosts stayed within striking distance.

Still, Seymour’s ball movement remained slick.

And by half-time, the visitors held a 28-24 advantage.

A key factor in that fluency was Ally Black, playing out of her usual goal attack post and into wing attack — a tactical shift that paid off handsomely.

Black’s clean take-off from the line and crisp feeding into Fuhrmeister kept the United defence under constant strain.

“I thought Ally was amazing,” Seymour coach Casey Adamson said.

“She combined really well with Ellie, who was on fire with her shots. Those two in particular were standouts for our game.”

The third term saw the Lions pull seven goals clear at 41-34, their passing lanes opening up as Shinea Sali and Olivia Kirby worked overtime in United’s midcourt to disrupt play.

Gilmore kept hitting the scoreboard to keep her side in touch, but Fuhrmeister’s steady hand — she finished with 29 goals — ensured Seymour carried a healthy buffer into the final stanza.

Adamson admitted her side wasn’t at its most ruthless for the full 60 minutes.

“I thought we were really good in patches,” she said.

“Each quarter we had a couple of minutes where we were switching off and couldn’t capitalise.

“United did a really good job of continuing to fight, especially in that last quarter, and bringing back the margin to much smaller than we would’ve liked.”

That fightback made for a tense finish, United trimming the deficit with quick centre pass conversions and capitalising on a couple of uncharacteristic Seymour turnovers.

But the Lions’ composure in the dying moments, coupled with the clock running down, saw them hold firm for the four-goal victory.

The result followed a statement win over second-placed Euroa in the previous round — a performance Adamson believes could have shifted the perception of her side heading into finals.

“That Euroa win was probably the first game that we actually played 100 per cent to our ability,” she said.

“We’ve been good in patches across the year but not a whole solid 60-minute performance. Playing in the wet slowed us down and made us a bit smarter.

“I think since that game, we’ve potentially frightened a couple of clubs because it was quite a big win that probably wasn’t expected.

“Our heads are on the chopping block for some clubs to take us down, but having two challenging games heading into finals is good to get that momentum and that mindset shift that it’s finals netball.”

Seymour’s final two home-and-away fixtures pit them against fellow top-six contenders Tatura and Shepparton — a stretch Adamson welcomes as the perfect preparation for September.

“I think it’s good to play those top teams later in the season,” she said.

“It gives you a good idea of where you stand heading into finals. It might mean some ladder changes are up for grabs, but if we play to our potential and stick to our game plan, we’ve got a really good chance.”

Meanwhile, Saturday’s loss leaves United in a precarious position.

The Demons still hold onto sixth spot, but with games against finals-bound Mooroopna and Euroa to close out the season, Shinea Sali’s charges will have to up the ante.

In Saturday’s other fixtures, Tatura’s trip to Benalla proved to be a roaring success as the Bulldogs, led by a sublime shooting game from Julia Clarke, toppled the Saints 62-30.

Finally, Mansfield held court at home against Kyabram, clinching a gritty 36-27 result.