Joining Collingwood as a training partner at the beginning of the season, Adamson was thrust into the bright lights of John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon after COVID-19 wiped out four of the Magpies’ starters for their crunch clash with cross-town rival Melbourne Vixens.
Filling the shoes of Diamonds star Ash Brazill in the midcourt, the weight of the world was on the 24-year-old’s shoulders, with the Magpies’ hopes of playing finals largely resting on this result.
With fellow Goulburn Valley netball export Zoe Davies and Australian icon Renae Ingles joining Adamson as top-up players, Collingwood put in a spirited performance, falling 56-54 in an intense contest.
Remarkably making her debut as part of the starting line-up, Adamson looked anything but a first-gamer, with her composure and skill seeing her fit seamlessly into the Super Netball spotlight.
Although the Magpies weren’t able to come away with a victory, the two-goal losing margin was enough to secure a finals birth, setting up a tantalising semi-final clash with GWS next week.
Speaking after the match, Collingwood defender Geva Mentor praised Adamson’s debut performance in what was a landmark result for the club.
“It is such a bizarre feeling because we lost by two goals, yet we are overwhelmingly happy and proud having made finals after such a hectic 24-36 hours,” Mentor told Collingwood media.
“I am just so proud of every player that pulled on the black and white and played their role.
“For Casey to start, with this being her first time actually in the squad of 10, I thought she held up really well.
“We pride ourselves on that first centre pass and I thought she handled that brilliantly. She is such a smart player and I’m excited to see what she brings.”
While Adamson’s stand-out performance took the netball world by surprise, her teammates back at Seymour weren’t shocked in the slightest, with the midcourter in the midst of a brilliant season for the ladder-leading Lions.
Seymour coach Ellie O’Sullivan said it was a thrill to watch one of her teammates take to Australian netball’s biggest stage.
“It was so exciting. Our whole football netball club were so pumped to see her finally get her opportunity. She’s been working so hard, so to see that pay off is just awesome,” O’Sullivan said.
“To play alongside her at Seymour is such a privilege. We learn so much from her and she is such a leader for our team.
“So for us to see her on the big screen playing in such a big game, it was a great day.”
As for how O’Sullivan thought her star centre fared in the black and white stripes, she said Adamson was able to translate her scintillating GVL form to Super Netball.
“I was so impressed with how she went,” she said.
“She looked like she belonged out there and didn’t look nervous at all.
“It just seemed like she took the challenge on with both hands and it was exciting to see her play so well.”
Seymour will be eagerly awaiting Adamson’s return from the Super Netball scene as it continues its push for back-to-back Goulburn Valley League premierships in the second half of the season.
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