Travelling to Deakin Reserve to take on Shepparton is about as formidable as it gets in the GVL, but Seymour, albeit with a slightly different line-up to this year, was the only side to take points off the Bears last season, and was well and truly up to the task again at the weekend.
But despite a spirited fightback, Seymour was unable to conjure a win, falling 39-45 in a tight encounter, but one that produced plenty of positives nonetheless.
A hot start saw the Bears race out to a 4-0 lead, but the Lions quickly settled and worked their way into the contest, taking the lead at 7-6, although a late run of goals to the home side saw Seymour trail 8-11 at the first break.
The first term was a fairly even affair, but the second saw Shepparton stretch the Lions across the court and a period of dominance early was capitalised upon, with the Bears shooting eight of the first 10 goals as the lead ballooned out to a game-high 19-10.
While the Lions eventually regained some standing on court, they were unable to reel in much of the margin before half-time, heading into the main break down 16-24 and with plenty of work to do in the second half.
A strong start to the third term had the Lions close within four goals as Ruby Martin (30 goals) and Olivia Pearce combined well within the circle, capitalising on the work through the midcourt from coach Elle Nexhip and Lucy Zotti.
But the Bears continued to push, once again opening up a lead of nine goals late in the term and holding an eight-goal advantage at the final break, leading the Lions 35-27.
Seymour wasn’t going to hand over the four points that easily and, with a ferocious burst to start the fourth quarter, shot seven of the first nine goals via Martin and Alyssah Chibnall, closing within three at 40-37 and placing some doubt in the minds of the Bears.
Shepparton shot back with a run of five straight to once again push the margin out to eight with five minutes remaining, but Seymour again found a way to respond, firing back five of their own to again pull the deficit back to just three goals as time dwindled down.
But it proved too little, too late, as the Bears were able to find the answers when required, netting the final three goals of the game to claim the eventual six-goal victory and put the first blemish on Seymour’s record for 2026.
The Lions won’t be too dismayed by the result, proving once again they can match it with the competition heavyweights despite the raft of changes they have experienced across the court this season.
Nexhip was Seymour’s best in the loss, oozing class with her forays forward while winning plenty of intercepts through the middle of the court, while Zotti was equally as good at wing defence in her first game of the year, slotting seamlessly into the side, and Chibnall provided plenty of good moments to round out the most influential.
Paige Cooper and Bridie Cantwell were mighty in defence, going head-to-head with the Bears’ superstar goaler Kim Borger, while Olivia Barry, in her first game of the season, and Pearce both showed plenty.
The Lions will regroup ahead of a third straight road trip to begin the season this weekend when they face Mansfield at Mansfield Recreation Reserve, with the Eagles entering the clash off the back of their first win of the year.
