Eight more senior footballers have put pen to paper and recommitted to Seymour Football Netball Club, SFNC, for the 2024 Goulburn Valley League, GVL, season.
But the major news of the past week is the loss of star Lions onballer and dual league best and fairest winner Jack O’Sullivan, who will join Wodonga in a co-coaching and playing role next season.
O’Sullivan won the Morrison Medal for the second time this season playing with the Lions.
Seymour Lions football manager Mitch Itter said everyone at the club wished O’Sullivan well at Wodonga.
“Winning two Morrisons in two seasons of footy is an incredible achievement and he leaves a lasting legacy at the club,” he said.
“He’s made lifelong friends at the Lions and has paid the club back in spades both on and off the field over his time here.
“While we’d love to have him at Seymour for the next decade, it’s not to be.
“Jacko will always be welcome at Seymour and we hope he continues his growth in a coaching and footballing capacity at Wodonga.”
In better news for the Lions, 2022 Morrison medallist Ben Rigoni has signed with Seymour and will again split his season between the Lions and Victorian Football League, VFL, club Coburg.
Other key re-signings include co-captain Lachlan Waite and 2023 recruits Nathan Fowler and Ricky Schraven who joined the Lions from Wallan last year.
The group of eight is rounded out by senior footballers Ben Cooney, James Wooster, Josh Alford and Alex Elliott.
Itter said the club was hard at work to build on this year’s top two home and away finish.
“These re-signings are massive news for the club and show this group is ready to push deep in September next season,” he said.
“We’ve got a really close bunch of boys who enjoy one another’s company and are chomping at the bit to get stuck into pre-season.
“Last [season] didn’t finish the way we hoped but we’ve got great depth in our reserves, a strong senior core and plenty of room for improvement.
“You can’t stand still in the GVL. It’s such a quality competition so we’ll be looking to see some big steps forward from everyone heading into 2024.”
Itter said the club would commence pre-season training later this month and welcomed any prospective players to join them.
“There’s a great vibe around the club at the moment and I’d encourage anyone who’s keen to play to come down and get amongst it,” he said.
“Late November we’ll start pre-season and get some solid sessions in before the Christmas break.
“The whole club is raring to go again for 2024 so get on board for next season as we look to go deeper in September.
“We’ve also got more re-signings and new recruits on the way. We’re excited to share these in the coming weeks.”
