With the returning Elle Nexhip bringing her wealth of professional netball experience back to Seymour this season, the Lions have arguably the best mentor in the league running through the midcourt, and it showed on Saturday against Benalla.
Travelling to Benalla Showgrounds to take on the Saints, who boast a new look line-up of their own under the tutelage of new coach Colleen Balfour, the Lions proved far too classy, ensuring the game was all but over by half-time before going on to claim a 51 to 28 victory.
From the opening whistle the visiting Lions made their intent clear, with quick ball movement in relentless defence causing plenty of turnovers, with the likes of club debutants Alyssa Chibnall and Sarah Thorpe looking comfortable in the midcourt alongside Nexhip.
By the time the two sides gathered in their huddles at quarter-time, Seymour’s lead was already in the double digits, ahead 15-4 after a brilliant defensive performance was capitalised upon by goalers Ruby Martin and Olivia Pearce.
The scoreline continued to grow in the Lions’ favour in the second term, with Nexhip’s class becoming more profound as her tally of deflections and intercepts grew, while the defensive end of Bridie Cantwell and Paige Cooper stood tall, conceding only 11 goals for the half as Seymour raced out to a 31-11 advantage by the main break.
But the second half brought a renewed Saints side to the court and, while the margin crept out further, it was a much more competitive showing from the home side.
Seymour won the third term 11-9, as Benalla brought the fight to the visitors, although the Lions were always in control with such a big margin already established on the scoreboard, and one they continued to stretch, if not as effectively as in the first half.
Entering the final term up 42-20, the Lions closed it out 9-8, to eventually take the contest by 23 goals, winning every term in a solid, if not spectacular, round one showing.
Thorpe was named the Lions’ best in the win, closely followed by Nexhip, while Martin was a big presence inside the circle all afternoon, rounding out the most influential.
Seymour will need more of that first-half form when it takes on reigning premier Shepparton in round two in what promises to be a scintillating early season clash.
The Lions were the only side to take points off the Bears last season, securing a draw in the final home-and-away round, and will no doubt bring plenty of confidence into the clash on Saturday after a big first up win.
