Elle McDonald returns to The Den

The Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC) has announced the biggest netball news the Goulburn Valley has seen in years.


Elle McDonald will return to The Den as Head Netball Coach for the 2026 season, after a stellar overseas career that included international caps for England.


McDonald is a Wellman Medallist, dual A Grade premiership player and coach with Seymour, a Victorian Fury and VNL Team of the Year representative, and a Melbourne Vixens premiership player. She secured a Super Netball contract with the Adelaide Thunderbirds before moving to the UK, playing with the Leeds Rhinos and Cardiff Dragons and represented the England Roses in international competition.


SFNC President Peter Elliott said McDonald’s return was a landmark moment for the Club.


“Elle is one of the finest players to ever come through Seymour and the Goulburn Valley more broadly, having proven herself on the national and international stage,” he said.


“To have someone of her calibre return to lead our netball program is an enormous boost for the entire club.


“She brings a wealth of experience from the very top levels of the sport, but just as importantly, she knows our club, our community and what it takes to win in the GV.


“Our young netballers will have a role model who has competed against the best in the world and come back to share that knowledge here at The Den.


“Elle has been a premiership coach and player for Seymour before, and we are confident she can help drive even more success for the Lions in 2026 and beyond.”


Mr Elliott also paid tribute to current Head Coach Casey Adamson, who will step down at the end of the season to take up a Super Netball contract with the GWS Giants.


“Casey has made a tremendous contribution to the Seymour Football Netball Club and we are extremely proud to see her take the next step in her career,” he said.


“She has been an outstanding leader and mentor for our players and a driving force in developing our next generation of talent.”



“Casey has given so much to the Lions both on and off the court, and we wish her every success with the Giants.”


Seymour FNC News

Reserves Elimination Final Football Report

By Mitch Itter • August 30, 2025
Janelle Puppa Real Estate UNDER 18s Seymour 5.1.31 def by Bears 12.12.84 Best: C Carmichael, A Nash, D Davis, H Thomson, R Kennedy Goals: D Davis 2, A Nash 1, A Munro 1 O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 8.5.53 def Bears 6.3.39 Having locked in their ladder position last week, the Lions were ready for a tough hit out ahead of the first week of finals. Following a couple of large wins, the Lions came out determined to take it up to a strong Bears outfit. From the outset it was a tough tussle between the sides but the Lions were able to get the advantage in the first half before the Bears clawed back the lead in the third quarter. In a closely fought final quarter the Lions held on for a 14 point victory. Jack Radford returned in a best on ground performance to seal the league leading goalkicker award. Nick Dundon worked hard around the ground a kicked a fantastic goal from 50 on the run early in the game. Through the middle of the ground Nic Davey, Joel Badger and Joel Brooks were all influential in the final outcome. A great win before heading into a big September. Best: J Radford, N Dundon, J Badger, N Davey, J Brooks Goals: J Radford 3, J Davey 2, N Dundon 1, R Gardner 1, D Davis 1 Seymour Club Seniors Seymour 14.7.91 def Bears 8.13.61 The Lions were out to finish the season with a bang and certainly delivered, ending the year on a winning note against Shepparton. It was a consistent four quarter performance from Seymour, keeping the Bears goalless in the second term to set the game up. Once again, Riley Mason led all comers with five goals up forward, with Darcy Giles and Ben McCarthy lively at his feet. Jack Peris was best on ground, providing plenty of dash around the ground while racking up possessions through the middle alongside Nathan Beattie, James Wooster and Dylan Cook. A great way to finish the year, having missed out on a finals place by one game.  Best: J Peris, J Wooster, R Mason, N Beattie, D Cook Goals: R Mason 5, N Beattie 2, D Giles 2, J Peris 1, N Fowler 1, M McLean 1, L Cavigan 1, B McCarthy 1

Round 18 Football Reports

By Mitch Itter • August 25, 2025
Janelle Puppa Real Estate UNDER 18s Seymour 5.1.31 def by Bears 12.12.84 Best: C Carmichael, A Nash, D Davis, H Thomson, R Kennedy Goals: D Davis 2, A Nash 1, A Munro 1 O'Keefe's IGA Seymour Reserves Seymour 8.5.53 def Bears 6.3.39 Having locked in their ladder position last week, the Lions were ready for a tough hit out ahead of the first week of finals. Following a couple of large wins, the Lions came out determined to take it up to a strong Bears outfit. From the outset it was a tough tussle between the sides but the Lions were able to get the advantage in the first half before the Bears clawed back the lead in the third quarter. In a closely fought final quarter the Lions held on for a 14 point victory. Jack Radford returned in a best on ground performance to seal the league leading goalkicker award. Nick Dundon worked hard around the ground a kicked a fantastic goal from 50 on the run early in the game. Through the middle of the ground Nic Davey, Joel Badger and Joel Brooks were all influential in the final outcome. A great win before heading into a big September. Best: J Radford, N Dundon, J Badger, N Davey, J Brooks Goals: J Radford 3, J Davey 2, N Dundon 1, R Gardner 1, D Davis 1 Seymour Club Seniors Seymour 14.7.91 def Bears 8.13.61 The Lions were out to finish the season with a bang and certainly delivered, ending the year on a winning note against Shepparton. It was a consistent four quarter performance from Seymour, keeping the Bears goalless in the second term to set the game up. Once again, Riley Mason led all comers with five goals up forward, with Darcy Giles and Ben McCarthy lively at his feet. Jack Peris was best on ground, providing plenty of dash around the ground while racking up possessions through the middle alongside Nathan Beattie, James Wooster and Dylan Cook. A great way to finish the year, having missed out on a finals place by one game.  Best: J Peris, J Wooster, R Mason, N Beattie, D Cook Goals: R Mason 5, N Beattie 2, D Giles 2, J Peris 1, N Fowler 1, M McLean 1, L Cavigan 1, B McCarthy 1

Round 18 Netball Reports

August 25, 2025
Australian Trenching & Excavations UNDER 15s Seymour 15 def by Bears 56 The scoreboard didn’t reflect the effort the girls put into today’s game. We had some great passages of play and worked hard in defence. Charlotte Bradley was accurate in the first half, supported by Matilda Barry, Sienna Lynch and Lily Tippett. Isabel Meller and Eden Webster created many turnovers throughout the game but unfortunately we couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard. Eva Hay battled all day, contesting and applying pressure over the ball. We have lots of positives to take away from the season with individual improvements across the court. Café 96 Award: Isabel Meller Trawool Shed - Cafe, Cottages & Restaurant UNDER 17s Seymour 27 def by Bears 43 Sophie Butterworth worked the GS bib for a full 4 quarters. Sophie took some great catches and shot beautifully and accurately. Her hard work in the ring to get front position did not go unnoticed. Ella Zotti had a tough gig in the middle of the court. She continuously made hard drives and fed wonderfully into our goalers. Paige Cooper was yet again vital in our defensive end, stopping crucial goals and providing the Lions with plenty of opportunities to score. O’Sullivan Builders Award: Sophie Butterworth O’SULLIVAN BUILDERS B RESERVE Seymour 55 def Bears 39 The game started with great intensity. The Lions were smart and efficient with ball in hand, scoring an 18 goal first quarter, while keeping the Bears to just nine goals. A team effort with all players giving their all. Defensive pressure was amazing. Goaler to goaler movement was fantastic. Inari Sushi Award: Casey Drummond Seymour Hardware Group B GRADE Seymour 58 def Bears 46 The Lions faced some tough opposition with some great netball played by both sides throughout the game. Everyone fought very hard, pulling in multiple intercepts. Our defensive pressure was outstanding. Well done to Olivia Pearce on her 100th game and getting best on. Whistle Award: Olivia Pearce Beer Auto Group Seymour A GRADE Seymour 54 drew with Bears 54 It was a strong start to the game with the Lions taking the lead. Lucy Zotti and Rosie O’Sullivan led the way with strong leads through attack and accurate feeds to the goalers. Sarah Szczykulski and Ruby Martin communicated well to shut Bears attacking end down. After a tough second quarter the Lions switched up the team to give a different dynamic. Ally Black, Ellie Fuhrmeister and Ruby Martin controlled the attacking end well while Lucy Zotti and Bridie Cantwell put plenty of pressure on in defense.
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