Rosie O'Sullivan earned praise from coach Ellie Fuhrmeister for her efforts in the loss to Tatura. Photos: Wayne Herring
Seymour has slipped down to sixth spot on the Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball ladder following a tough loss to Tatura at the weekend.
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The Kings Park crowd was expecting a thrilling contest, given only two goals separated the two sides in their round one clash, which saw the Bulldogs prevail 52-50.
And while the first half lived up to the billing on Saturday, with Tatura taking a slender three-goal advantage into the main break, Seymour was unable to respond in the second half, going down 34-43.
Lions coach Ellie Fuhrmeister conceded the loss was disappointing, with some periods of good netball overshadowed by inconsistency.
“It was a bit of a frustrating loss for us,” she said.
“The first half was really competitive, and I still feel like the second half there was some competitive moments, but probably just very inconsistent from our team and we just weren't able to convert some of the turnovers that we got.
“Tat’s midcourt was so zippy, I think Elsie (Boyer) played an amazing game in at centre for the whole game, and we just couldn't really keep up with her speed, unfortunately. She just provided so many options for them into attack.
“So I think it was sort of a disappointing loss, with just some inconsistencies that we weren't able to capitalise on.”
Ruby Martin was among the best for Seymour in the loss, impressing after a switch from goal keeper to goal shooter.
There were still plenty of positives for Fuhrmeister to take out of the contest, with the Lions continuing to find their groove together as the season wears on.
Two players also earned plaudits from the coach for their starring roles despite the end result.
“Like every game, there’s some really good patches that we have and it is really exciting to be playing with a bit more of a newer group,” Fuhrmeister said.
“But in saying that, we’ve been playing together for 14 weeks now, so there are patches that are really smooth and really quick ball speed.
“I was really impressed with Ruby Martin’s game on the weekend and Rosie O'Sullivan.
“Ruby went from goal keeper to goal shooter, so she’s incredibly versatile in that way, and I thought they both ran out 60 minutes of netball, but unfortunately, we just didn’t get there in the end.”
With just five matches remaining before finals, the Lions find themselves in the precarious position of sixth on the ladder, and a win in round 15 this weekend could prove vital in qualifying for September action.
Seymour will come up against Shepparton Bears, who sit one place above the Lions and hold the wood over the Kings Park locals following a 15-goal triumph in round four.
Fuhrmeister knows if her side is to get the job done, it will have to get back to a team-first game that has seen it in good stead so far this season
"We’re really excited to play Bears again, they’re a great club to play against,” she said.
“Hopefully we’ll just get a good session in this Thursday night and we want to put the focus back on us as individuals, but then also working together out on court.
“I thought we lost that a little bit on the weekend, so just working in our units and then, you know, trying to have a real team focus this week going into the Bears game, because we know they’re going to be tough.”