Sport
22 August, 2025
Avoca eye another premiership
The Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League finals commence tomorrow with Avoca in a strong position to aim for a three-peat.
Written by Jonathan Peck
Avoca vs Maryborough Giants
Avoca will begin the latter stages of their quest for a three-peat with a clash against the MCDFNL’s newest netball powerhouse in the Maryborough Giants.
One word can describe the Bulldogs’ home and away campaign — flawless. They finished the season undefeated with 16 consecutive victories, including two wins versus the Giants, to extend their unbeaten streak to a stunning 49 games.
Six of the seven starters from their 2023 and 2024 premierships have remained with the team this season, looking to cement themselves as one of the greatest teams in MCDFNL history alongside the mid 2010’s Navarre side and Talbot’s dominance in the mid 1990s.
The Bulldogs’ only addition to their starting seven, Faith McKenzie, has fit into this team like a glove, orchestrating the midcourt alongside club legends Stacey Blair and Lucy Howell as well as adding an extra dynamic to their already vaunted defence.
If you are on top of any competition for an extended period, chances are teams will be chomping at the bit to knock you off your throne, and despite playing their inaugural season last year, the Giants have positioned themselves as a contender to dethrone Avoca.
After being knocked out in straight sets in 2024, the Giants once again finished inside the top four after vanquishing Natte Bealiba in the final round of the regular season.
Natte Bealiba vs Carisbrook
In a battle between two of the most successful teams in the MCDFNL over the past few seasons, Natte Bealiba tackle Carisbrook for a place in the preliminary final.
These two teams have been the two biggest threats to Avoca’s recent reign of dominance, being the final hurdle the Bulldogs had to overcome in their back-to-back premierships.
Last season’s runner-up Natte have had another stellar campaign in 2025, finishing with a 14-2 record led by player-coach Emma Ryan, who scored a mammoth 1069 goals in the home and away season.
While their defeat to the Maryborough Giants last week has brought about some questions, the Swans have the talent to rebound quickly and replicate their 29-goal victory over the Redbacks back in round 13.
Natte are the last team to defeat the Bulldogs in the finals with their 2022 preliminary final triumph on their way to ultimate glory, and premiership players Ellie Martin, Shannae Mills and Ella Tranter will be determined to grab another medal.
Despite being consistently one of the best teams in the league for the past decade, Carisbrook hasn’t been rewarded with a deserving premiership, with its last title occurring 26 years ago.
Talbot vs Newstead
After just missing out on the top four, Talbot’s journey to a premiership will have to be done the long way, starting with a very tricky first hurdle in Newstead, who are very keen for a finals victory.
The Hawks were one of if not the biggest storyline in last season’s finals, going on a fairy tale run to the preliminary final that reinvigorated a netball program that was previously struggling for years.
Now with the surprise factor not at their disposal, and a new host of recruits joining the team, 2025 looked to be a significant year for Talbot in determining whether or not they could remain a dangerous threat in the MCDFNL.
They delivered with a fifth-place finish and look to be a dark horse to make another exhilarating run through the finals, led by their newly-integrated talent.
Melissa Scott, Jess White and Jane Costello have been a dependable trio in defence, Loren Aquilina has been a welcome addition to the midcourt and Shianne Milera has been a linchpin in the Hawks’ attack.
Before they can think too far ahead, Talbot first has to take on a Steaders team which has won three of their last four games.
Despite finishing in the same position as they did in 2024, the Steaders have shown significant improvements this year and look well-equipped to potentially fight for a finals win in 2025 after a strong end to the regular season.
Navarre vs Lexton
With both teams earning a win at the other’s expense in the home and away season, the third encounter between Navarre and Lexton in 2025 will be the most pivotal of them all, with both their seasons on the line.
Momentum can change on a dime in the world of sports, and Navarre and Lexton’s campaigns this season are clear examples of that phrase.
The Grasshoppers were the surprise package to begin the season, starting 5-2 with a statement win over the Tigers under their belt and looking poised to contend for the top four following their round 10 triumph over Carisbrook.
However, since that point, which looked to be a season-defining moment, Navarre have noticeably cooled, losing five of their last seven games, including a 14-goal loss to Lexton a fortnight ago to drop to seventh on the ladder.
Despite that concerning end-of-season run, the Grasshoppers have showcased they can challenge any team this season thanks to their top-tier defence, which has been their trademark in recent years.
With consistent on-ball pressure across the court and Jade Allen and Sophie Flood anchoring the goal, the Grasshoppers allowed the third fewest goals in the regular season, boasting a better defensive record than Natte Bealiba, the Maryborough Giants and Talbot.
Inversely to Navarre’s fast start, Lexton started the season 3-4, struggling to get the ball into the net, averaging just 41 goals a game in their first seven matches.
Those concerns are long past the Tigers now, as Leesa Donhardt, Kristy Hadler and Charlize Kennedy have developed into a tremendous triad of scoring, helping to secure Lexton’s place in the finals and nearly sneaking into the top four.
Despite not being one of the favourites to end 2025 as premiers, recent history tells us no one should be taking the Tigers lightly come finals.