Against top-ranked side Shepparton United, the Lions denied the Demons a sniff at every opportunity to take a 46-38 win — and make the statement of all statements.
Searching for the golden ticket that brings two chances to win through to a grand final, the Lions roared to a 12-10 quarter-time, and doubled down with a scintillating second term they won 14-7, ahead by nine goals at half-time and in the box seat.
United was always going to fire a shot and upped the ante in the third, its pressure through the roof as it found a way to cause turnovers and at one stage close within four goals, down 32-28.
But the Lions extended the margin back to six by three-quarter time and calmly saw off the Demons' fight in the last, putting the game to bed with a 4-0 run to start the last.
Seymour coach Elle McDonald said her side had risen to the occasion, finding the level required to shut down United.
"We knew it was going to be a really tough contest, especially going in knowing we'd had a draw last time we'd played them," McDonald said.
"It was really good to just build on that lead throughout the game, keep our heads and just adapt to the changes they made.
"(In the second quarter) we just went back to the basics and stuck to what we do well as a team. We were just finishing off those drives and being patient with the ball in attack which really worked.
"And we just tried to build the pressure throughout the whole court and not just leave it to the defenders to pick off the intercepts."
Like most Seymour wins, it started at the back with a stellar performance from the defensive monster that is Sarah Szczykulski, the goal keeper's elite pressure combining with that of Meg Grbac and Nakita Singe to slow United's goalers right up.
The Lions' first shot at a grand final place comes against Echuca, while United will engage in a Deakin Derby against Shepparton.
"Throughout the season, just to see the team build that belief in each other has been good, and the last couple of games we've found some form," McDonald said.
"We just want to keep doing what we're doing, we've got Echuca next game to give us that chance (to make the grand final)."
SCORES
Seymour 46 d Shepparton United 38