Sport
22 August, 2025
MCDFNL finals set to begin
The Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League finals begin tomorrow, highlighted by an elimination final between Navarre and Dunolly on Sunday.
Football - Jonathan Peck
Navarre v Dunolly
Navarre and Dunolly will meet at CHS Broadbent Oval on Sunday, with one team advancing to the semi final and one team going home.
With how closely contested the top four race has been all season, the Grasshoppers and Eagles have flown slightly under the radar, but are certainly capable of defeating any team on their day, especially with their form in the second half of the campaign.
Heading into their bye back in round nine, Navarre were comfortably inside the top eight, but weren’t projected to make much noise come finals after big losses to Harcourt and Talbot.
That perception has changed dramatically in the last eight rounds, exemplified by a win over the reigning premiers, Natte Bealiba, and two dominating victories to end their season.
With key defender Jayden Fowkes, ball-winner Zak Varley, rising star Oliver Notting and forward Sam Rickard all having brilliant seasons, the Grasshoppers brought in some key mid-season additions to an already talented team.
Former VFL players Angus Bade and Jack Mentha, as well as key forward Aaron Slorach, who’s kicked 35 goals in just eight games, have added an injection of difference-makers to a team looking to re-cement themselves as a contender.
Dunolly has beaten one team above them on the ladder, their opponents this Sunday in Navarre at home in round 13. After trailing by 21 points midway through the second quarter, Joel Fisher, Lachlan Tranter and Lloyd Needs kicked the first four goals of the second half to set up a 12-point victory.
Carisbrook vs Talbot
With a spot in the preliminary final at stake, second-paced Talbot will play third-placed Carisbrook at Avoca Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
When Talbot announced the appointment of David Connell from Tullamarine alongside the signings of Dean Limbach, Charles Aitken, Michael Sikora and Jarrod Stephens, to name a few, many expected them to break their six-year finals drought.
However, no one, including Connell himself, would have expected the rapid rise of the Hawks, finishing the season 14-2 and second on the MCDFNL ladder.
After sending a message with some dominant wins over Avoca, Maldon and Navarre to start the season, Talbot cemented themselves as true contenders when they defeated Carisbrook by just seven points with local product Jude McGuire assisting Stephens for the winning goal, one of his 73 goals on the season.
Natte Bealiba vs Maldon
Following a stunning end-of-season run, Maldon will hope to find their inner David when they take on the Goliath of Natte Bealiba in the elimination final.
Key injuries have plagued the Swans as of late, creating a shadow of doubt on their chances of a repeat.
However, with several players expected to return this weekend, Natte will be keen to make a statement to the rest of the MCDFNL that they won’t give up their crown without a fight.
Another confidence booster for Natte is their round 10 win over Maldon in the home and away season, where they dominated the Bombers by 98 points.
In a showcase of their scoring depth, the Swans shared their 21 goals across nine players, with star forward Will Holt finishing with five goals, player-coach Trent Mortlock booting four and Nathan Holt and Jai Howell kicking three.