Sport
5 September, 2025
MCDFNL Netball Preliminary Final Previews
In a replay of last season’s grand final, Natte Bealiba will attempt to bring an end to Avoca’s astonishing 50-game unbeaten streak when the rival MCDFNL powerhouses collide on Saturday. On Sunday, Carisbrook and Talbot collide.
WRITTEN BY JONATHAN PECK
After back-to-back losses to the Maryborough Giants and Carisbrook, the Swans looked to be back at their best in their semi-final, keeping the spirited Lexton at bay to advance.
While Sunday’s performance was a needed confidence-booster, especially with the welcomed return of shooter Shannae Mills, it’s hard to put them as the favourites up against the team that beat them in the 2024 season finale.
Following a hard-fought first half, the Bulldogs commanded the last 30 minutes of their qualifying final versus the Maryborough Giants, winning the second half 36-15.
If there was someone able to prevent the Bulldogs’ three-peat ambitions, the Swans are arguably the team best equipped to do so.
Natte is the team responsible for Avoca’s last two defeats — after ending their rivals then 45-game winning streak with a 10-goal triumph in the 2022 preliminary final on their way to a premiership, the Swans did it again in their next meeting in round five, coming back from an 11-goal deficit at quarter time to win by six goals.
Despite losing their last four meetings with the Bulldogs, the Swans had their rivals in trouble in their only meeting this season back in round 11, up by double digits at half time.
With their backs against the wall, Avoca showcased the determination of champions, clawing back the deficit in the third quarter, before blowing their opponents away with a 12-1 run in the fourth to earn a nine-goal victory.
Carisbrook vs Talbot
Either Carisbrook or Talbot will put themselves on the precipice of ending their premiership droughts on Sunday when they square off with a place in the grand final at stake.
While neither team has achieved ultimate glory for over a quarter of a century, they have experienced their droughts in very different ways.
After winning the final premiership of the 20th century, the Redbacks have mostly remained a finals contender since 1999 and have been a powerhouse over the past decade, making three of the last five grand finals.
Despite their impressive sustained success, a converted flag has alluded them, and they hope they can shake the moniker of bridesmaids in 2025.
Their finals campaign couldn’t have gotten off to a better start, earning themselves a week off with a seven-goal victory in their qualifying final over Natte Bealiba.
Meanwhile, the Hawks hadn’t achieved a finals victory since their premiership back in 1994 until last season, but they have certainly made up for lost time, earning back-to-back preliminary final berths after finishing outside the top four.
After vanquishing Newstead in the elimination final, Talbot delivered a double dose of finals heartbreak on the Maryborough Giants with a gripping three-goal triumph on Saturday.
It was not an easy feat. After the Hawks led by four goals at three-quarter time, the Giants were on the verge of tying the game with limited time to spare before some clutch interventions from Jess White and Loren Aquilina got Talbot over the line.
A lot has changed since these teams last met back in early May in round four of the home and away season, an encounter which saw the Redbacks balloon a one-goal half time lead into a 20-goal victory.