mmg.com.au

The scoreline might not have reflected it but new Seymour A-grade netball coach Ash Chapman was pretty happy with the hit out against Gisborne at Kings Park on Saturday.

A distinctly youthful Lions went down 51-22 to the Bendigo league side but gave up 28 of the 29-goal deficit by half-time. Seymour won the third quarter by one and lost the final term by two.

‘‘If they can put four of those types of (final two) quarters together, they’ll be fine,’’ Chapman said.

‘‘It’s just about getting them to do that. Gisborne was a lot more mature team.

‘‘We either have to bite the bullet (by introducing youth) now or wait a couple of years, and we’ve chosen to do it now. We put little things together and once they gel together they’ll be right.’’

The young Lions included shooter Millie Brock, who Chapman said played well, with the likes of Sarah Szczykulski at the other end of the court and Ellie O’Sullivan. The side was missing Tegan Hansen with tennis commitments and newcomer Renee Sari from Wallan with an ankle injury.

Seymour will travel up the road for a rare senior clash against neighbours Nagambie on Thursday night, with all grades playing on both courts.

Chapman expected Sari, who adds to the tall timber and was an interested spectator on Saturday, to play her first game there.