‘I’ve never been so excited’: Seymour’s Lyndel Feery recalls incredible 250th game

But one story stands out from the rest.

Lyndel Feery, who plies her trade in the B-grade side, is one of the most appreciated and hard-working people involved with the club.

And as fate would have it, her 250th game for Seymour fell on grand final day, in what turned out to be an incredible victory against Rochester.

Riding an incredible wave of emotions throughout the day, Feery said the win was the highlight of her career.

“It (the day) was very special. Obviously the priority was to win the premiership and we did, which was an amazing reward for the entire team,” Feery said.

“The feeling when that final siren sounded, I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited, it was definitely the best moment of all of my 250 games.

“For it all to come together for us as a team and to play my 250th on that day, I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate the milestone.”

The lead-up to the game was an unusual one for the experienced goaler.

Having to deal with the pressure and emotions of the grand final and 250-game milestone, she said there was one other factor weighing heavily on her mind in the build-up.

“It’s funny because you don’t really want to put any pressure on yourself leading into a grand final, but for me with the milestone there was a lot coming together on one big day,” she said.

“I’m actually pregnant as well, meaning that was my last game for a while, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform.

“So to come away with the win and to be able to celebrate with family and friends, it could not have gone any better.”

Further adding to the drama of the story, the grand final itself was one of the more incredible games of netball you are likely to see.

Battling a finely-tuned Rochester squad that had beaten them two weeks earlier, the Lions were seemingly headed for another defeat as they trailed by six halfway through the final term.

But with the inspiration of their milestone girl driving them, the Lions astonishingly clawed their way back into the contest, before a goal after the siren to Ruby Martin sealed the incredible premiership triumph.

“Honestly it was one of the most incredible games I’ve ever been a part of,” Feery said.

“We were down by six goals with a few minutes left and it felt like it was out of our reach.

“But we chipped away at it, got our way back into the game, and then in the end Ruby (Martin) was amazing and hit that shot after the siren.

“From that point on it was just pure elation.”

When it comes to influential figures in the Seymour netball program, it is hard to go past the tireless work Feery has put in over the journey.

Beginning her career on the court in 2008, her journey has been filled with highlights, including being involved in the club’s 2019 A-grade premiership along with this most recent B-grade triumph.

She has also been vital in setting up success off the court, filling the role of netball co-ordinator for two seasons in 2019 and 2020.

These valuable contributions had her claiming one of the club’s biggest honours at its presentation night at the weekend, following in the footsteps of a host of family members.

“I was awarded life membership on Saturday night at our presentation night, which is such an amazing honour,” Feery said.

“I’m the seventh person in my family to be given life membership at the Seymour Football Netball Club, and it is surreal to be able to join them.

“I’ve been ingrained in the club since I was a baby. Mum and Dad have been involved forever, so growing up all I ever wanted to do was play for Seymour.

“So to be able to do that for the past 14 years, it’s such a blessing and I have loved every minute of it.”