GVL | Seymour strives for back-to-back A-grade crowns, B-grade and B-reserve shoot for glory

But fittingly, the team standing in their way is the one they bested on that famous day in 2019.

And with premiership captain Ellie O’Sullivan now leading the way as playing coach, the Lions will be hoping to inflict more grand final pain on Shepparton United in what is set to be an epic rematch.

For first year coach O’Sullivan she said the gravity of being in a grand final was just beginning to weigh on her with preparations now well under way.

“We are so excited. It is only really starting to sink in today and the gravity of playing in a grand final this weekend is starting to get the group very excited,” O’Sullivan said.

“I am so proud of the group to get this far. Our mindset has been the major strength this year and we really showed in the prelim with that crazy lightning break and torrential weather.

“When I look at my team, I know each of them have so much talent, but it’s their mental strength that really stands out to me and is something I think will put us in great stead this weekend.”

Looking back on its premiership triumph in 2019, five of Seymour’s starters from that day will appear again on Sunday, while Courtney Aldous (who was on the bench) and gun midcourter Casey Adamson come into the side.

O’Sullivan said the continuity in her group and its grand final experience would put it in good stead come the opening whistle.

“We have a bit of experience in players who have played in premierships before and at the elite level as well,” she said.

“I think it is all about preparing ourselves as well as we can and doing all we can do individually and as a team to ensure we are ready to put out our best when we step out on court.

“As a group we have done it before on grand final day and I’m confident we can do it again.”

Seymour and Shepparton United have enjoyed an epic rivalry in 2022, with the Demons leading the season series 2-1.

United’s two victories have come in the past month, as it prevailed by 24 goals in the final round of the home and away season before backing it up with a stunning three-goal triumph in the first semi-final a fortnight ago.

O’Sullivan said she was excited to meet the Demons on the big stage again and hopefully turn the tide.

“It’s exciting (to play them again) and there are no surprises that they are in the grand final,” she said.

“Shepparton United have been top-of-the-table for a really long time and are such a well- established team with a lot of experience which would certainly make for a tough game.

“There is a lot to learn from those last two games against them and I think we just have to regroup and do what we do best in focusing on ourselves and staying connected out on court.”

With one last hurdle for the Lions to jump to be crowned back-to-back premiers, O’Sullivan urged the Seymour community to get to Deakin Reserve on Sunday and help cheer her side home.

“Our footballers and families have been so amazing over this finals series. I think they’ve been the loudest I’ve ever heard playing netball and it really lifts you on court wanting to do them proud,” she said.

“They are having quite an effect on how we are playing and I cannot wait to see as many Lions fans out there as possible on Sunday.”

B-grade grand final — Rochester v Seymour, 1pm

The two clear top teams of the 2022 Goulburn Valley League B-grade netball season will do battle at Deakin Reserve on Sunday, with Rochester and Seymour set to duel out an enthralling decider.

Finishing as minor premier with a record of 17-3, Seymour has passed nearly all of its tests with flying colours this season, showcasing the depth of its netball program.

But one team has been a thorn in its side this year.

Facing Rochester on two occasions, the Lions fell by two goals in a thriller at Moon Oval in round nine, before being humbled in a thrilling 46-42 first semi-final at Mansfield Recreation Reserve a fortnight ago.

Fresh off winning the Sandra Cox Medal as the champion B-grade player of the season, star shooter Annie Hughes appears set to lead the Tigers’ cause on grand final day.

While for the Lions, the likes of Andrea McKenzie, Georgia Engel and Lucy Zotti will be pivotal in helping secure that long-awaited win over Rochester.

With not much separating the teams all season, get set for a dramatic end to the B-grade season.

B-reserve grand final — Seymour v Mansfield, 11.30am

The first of three Seymour teams to take the Deakin Reserve court on grand final day, the B-reserve girls will be hoping to kick-start a string of victories for the club.

Claiming the minor premiership, the Lions have been the clear team to beat in the B-reserve competition this season, dropping one game to come into the decider a heavy favourite.

This includes three triumphs against grand final opponent Mansfield, triumphing by 25 goals in round one, two goals in round 11 and 13 goals in the first semi-final two weeks ago.

But as we all know, there is a rich history of stunning upsets on grand final day and if you look at the trajectory of Mansfield’s season it appears well-poised to produce a shock result.

Led by 450-game veteran Leonie Berry, the Eagles regrouped after an 0-2 start to finish the season in third spot on the ladder.

Two teams filled with experience and talent, expect a tight battle from start to finish and a worthy B-reserve champion.