Sport
9 June, 2026
2026 MCDFNL A grade mid-season recap
Despite only being halfway through the season, 2026 has already been a memorable year for the MCDFNL on the A grade netball court, with an abundance of gripping matches, rapid risers and surprising skids.
Need a refresher on everything that’s happened so far this year? You’ve come to the right place as the competition is set to return from a short hiatus due to the King’s Birthday long weekend.
AVOCA Position: 1st Record: 8-0
Death, taxes and Avoca winning netball games. That remains the constant in A grade as the Bulldogs are heavily favoured to win their fourth consecutive premiership.
Despite some challenges from Dunolly and Lexton, Avoca has looked unstoppable in 2026 on its way to successfully extending its historic unbeaten run to a jaw-dropping 60 games.
Dynasty stalwarts Maddy Egan, Gina Steel, Lucy Howell and Stacey Blair continue to power a deadly attack that leads the competition in goals scored with an astonishing average of 74.25 goals a game.
While the same premiership heroes continue to dissect opponents on offence, talented newcomer Ella Patten has seamlessly filled the role of 2025 MCDFNL Team of the Year defender Keisha Tonzing and developed a frightening defensive partnership with Caitlin Drummond.
When they return from their extended break due to their round nine bye, the Bulldogs will look to add to their legacy as one of the greatest teams in MCDFNL history when they face an intimidating gauntlet of Navarre, Carisbrook, Trentham and Natte Bealiba in the next four games.
CARISBROOK Position: 4th Record: 7-1
Carisbrook has rebounded from an early hiccup to possess an impressive 7-1 record as they attempt to end their long-standing premiership drought.
The Redbacks had major question marks circling their title aspirations after a 78-41 drubbing at the hands of Natte Bealiba.
With their backs against the wall, Carisbrook answered all doubts by knocking off Talbot in a one-goal thriller that kickstarted a six-game winning run.
A major catalyst for the Redbacks’ streak has been their excellent offence, averaging a stellar 69 goals a game in their last five matches.
Boosted by midcourt superstars Katie Bilton and Laura Hurse, Jordan McClure continues to be one of the most reliable shooters in the competition, while her shooting partner Abbey Nalder is beginning to match her consistency.
Charlotte Cain has been an excellent addition to Carisbrook’s already elite midcourt, providing an extra security blanket at wing defence alongside key stoppers Elise Mottram and Finley Wagstaff.
CAMPBELLS CREEK Position: 11th Record: 0-7
While a finals berth looks to be a pipedream, Campbells Creek still has plenty to play for in 2026.
The Magpies were dealt an incredibly unlucky hand to begin the year, as every opponent they have faced this season currently resides inside the competition’s top eight.
Even with that brutal opening gauntlet, Campbells Creek has produced some encouraging passages of netball, including a 12-13 third term against Lexton and a 10-15 period versus league juggernaut Avoca.
Now, as their fixture begins to soften, the Magpies will be determined to turn those passages into wins.
Heni Moeke has been an excellent addition to Campbells Creek’s offence, providing solid entry passes to shooters Mia Martin and Reagan Fulford while adding her own scoring touch.
Moeke’s arrival has allowed the versatile Taylah Sartori to move deeper into the Magpies’ defence, supporting the likes of Phoebe Jones and McKenna Wynveen.
DUNOLLY Position: 6th Record: 4-3
In A grade’s recent history, several teams have unexpectedly emerged as a surprise package, yet among that collective group of rapid climbers, very few have risen as quickly or remarkably as Dunolly this season.
Even when they ended Good Friday with a 25-goal victory over Maldon, the most energetic optimist couldn’t have foreseen the Eagles’ high-flying start, emerging as an earnest finals contender with four victories, equaling their win total from their previous two seasons.
Returning player-coach Lara Clements has not only provided a steady hand on offence, but also developed a team identity centred around defensive pressure and ball security.
The defensive prowess of Ashlee Lierich has allowed that game plan to flourish, while Teagan Hovey and Ruby Lang have been equally pivotal. Dunolly currently ranks fourth in goals allowed, significantly improved from its 11th-ranked unit in 2025.
With strong showings against Avoca and Navarre, the Eagles will need to keep that momentum going this weekend versus Carisbrook before a string of crucial matches.
LEXTON Position: 5th Record: 5-2
With Leesa Donhardt, Evelyn Reid and Brodie McKay all departing the club following last season’s semi-final exit, 2026 felt like a changing of the guard for Lexton’s senior netball program.
However, the Tigers have preserved their status as one of the competition’s most consistently successful teams, starting the year 5-0 before competitive defeats to Dunolly and Avoca dampened their hot start.
Newcomers Shanae Hepworth and Eliza Bell have boosted a revamped defence, anchored by Sarah Griffin, who’s been having a memorable season.
Fresh off her captivating debut season in senior netball, Charlize Kennedy has thrived as Lexton’s offensive centrepiece this season, aided by the return of elite shooter Rachel Phelan.
Before another finals appearance, the Tigers would love to solidify their contender status with a victory over either Navarre, Carisbrook, or Natte Bealiba, three teams they face in the next month.
HARCOURT Position: 12th Record: 0-8
Luck hasn’t been on Harcourt’s side to begin 2026, as their significant team improvements have yet to result in a deserved victory.
The Lions have found themselves on the precipice of obtaining that drought-breaking win on numerous occasions against quality opposition, but a combination of short lapses and untimely runs has kept them winless.
However, with Newstead, Maryborough, Maldon and Campbells Creek in their next four matches, things could begin to turn around for Harcourt.
Star defender Laura Suckling, versatile midcourter Ursula van Dyk and composed shooter Jarrenhy Webb have all been excellent additions to the Lions’ den this season alongside stalwarts Jordan Bagley, Morgan Howorth and Ella Rule.
MALDON Position: 13th Record: 0-8
While Maldon is still searching for its first victory since the final round of the 2024 home and away season, the Bombers have placed themselves back on track following a shipwrecked 2025.
After encouraging performances against Dunolly, Lexton and Trentham, Maldon were in prime position to snap their long-standing losing streak with a five-goal lead at quarter time over Newstead.
Despite the Steaders completing a remarkable comeback, it seems like only a matter of time before the Bombers finally get their moment.
Claire Hamilton was influential in that aforementioned seven-goal defeat and has routinely been a defensive rock for Maldon when available.
Last season’s club MVP Sophie Zammit, persistent defender Emma Webb and hard-working midcourters Charlotte Harrison and Claire Kelly have also performed well this season, as the Bombers hope to solidify their rebuild during the second half of 2026.
MARYBOROUGH GIANTS Position: 9th Record: 2-5
The ongoing construction of Hedges Oval’s netball court has proved to be a timely metaphor for Maryborough’s A grade team as they look to rebuild following back-to-back straight-set eliminations in finals.
With an emphasis on embedding their most promising junior stars into the MCDFNL’s premier netball competition and a brutal opening schedule, the Giants started 2026 0-4.
Now with several games under their belt, rising stars Jorgia Brown, Bridget Allan and Kayley Walhouse are beginning to find their feet at the A grade level, resulting in Maryborough earning victories over Trentham and Newstead.
Riahni Egan has stepped up in Maryborough’s defence following the departure of Ruby Saunder, while Macey Parry has also been in exceptional form.
Despite sitting outside the finals places with a hefty percentage deficit, Maryborough seems poised to make a threatening finals push in the coming weeks with matches against Maldon, Harcourt and Campbells Creek upcoming.
NATTE BEALIBA Position: 2nd Record: 7-0
While it’s been a typically dominant year for Natte Bealiba, their pathway to this point has been far from routine.
The Swans’ premiership aspirations seemingly received a crushing blow when last season’s league-leading scorer, Emma Ryan, was sidelined with a foot injury back in round four..
Without their offensive superstar for an extended period, Natte was forced to scramble for a solution. However, it turned out the Swans didn’t have to look hard for a replacement, as teenager Chelsea Ross has been outstanding deputising for Ryan.
Sian Mortlock has been a valuable aid to the development of Ross and fellow emerging shooter Eve Mortlock. The defensive duo of Ellie Martin and Naomi Medlyn has also helped ease the pressure on their team’s retooled attack by allowing the fewest goals in the competition.
With clashes against Talbot, Dunolly, Lexton and Avoca upcoming, the Swans will have a major litmus test before embarking on another finals run.
NAVARRE Position: 3rd Record: 7-1
A new contender has reemerged to battle A grade’s established heavyweights as 2026 continues to be a breakout campaign for the Navarre Grasshoppers.
A decade on from completing a historic four-peat, Navarre is once again a serious premiership hopeful after turning their major 2025 leap into a blistering start to 2026.
The Grasshoppers had the pieces of a premiership threat last season, with Jade Allen patrolling a top-three defence while Sidney Dyer and Amber Perry excelled in the midcourt. However, Navarre’s offensive woes plagued their potential.
With the arrival of deadly shooters Zanaiya Bergen and Aliza Lockhart, last season’s weakness has arguably become their greatest strength, with Bergen and Lockhart sitting second and fourth in the league’s goal-scoring charts.
Fellow recruit Brooke Currie and the returning Jess Parry have also made a noticeable impact this season, giving the Grasshoppers a threatening core come September.
NEWSTEAD Position: 10th Record: 2-5
2026 has been a fascinating season for Newstead in A grade, overcoming major blowouts and inconsistency to place themselves in the finals hunt.
Following humbling defeats to Avoca and Navarre as well as a nail-biting two-goal loss to Trentham on Anzac Day, it looked as though Newstead’s finals window was beginning to ebb away.
However, the Steaders rallied with a gripping victory over Dunolly before vanquishing a fast-starting Maldon to enter the King’s Birthday long weekend level on points with Talbot in eighth.
Following the noticeable departures of Tayla Gale, Chelsey Williams, Katie Tong and Zoe Douglass, Layla Benson-Zepnick has excelled in a more predominant role in A grade, while Jessica Currie has remained a steady presence in the midcourt alongside the returning Caitlan Bird.
The week’s break allowed the Steaders to fully prepare for a critical juncture in their season, facing Harcourt, Campbells Creek, Talbot and Dunolly in their next four matches.
TALBOT Position: 8th Record: 2-5
For a team synonymous with making magic happen on the netball court in recent years, 2026 has so far been a gloomy contrast for Talbot, headlined by an unflattering five-game losing streak.
Whether it’s an unfortunate run of fixtures, key players like Eleisha Phelps and Elenoa Costello being unavailable, or key moments not falling their way, it seems the Hawks’ hopes of avenging last season’s Grand Final loss have been snakebit.
Despite their recent hardship, it seems premature to count out a team that’s thrived on being the underdog in recent years.
While the likes of Melissa Scott, Jane Dikini and Maddy Williams remain a formidable defensive nucleus, the Hawks need to refine their offensive wings.
With Trentham, Natte Belaiba, Newstead and Maryborough in their next four games, Talbot will look to discover a reliable attacking formula with the talent of Loren Aquilina, Jess White and Charli Kaye.
TRENTHAM Position: 7th Record: 4-3
After narrowly missing out on finals netball in back-to-back seasons, 2026 looks to be the year Trentham returns to the postseason party.
The Saints showcased some promise during the opening five rounds, particularly through the defensive excellence of Jessica Walker and Madelyne Brennan, but they found a new gear just before the break with three straight wins.
A major factor in that upswing has been the arrival of Hannah Weier, whose shooting prowess has boosted Trentham’s offensive production from averaging 28 goals in their opening four games to 57.5 goals a game in the last two matches.
Fellow shooter Sharna Ford and midcourt newcomer Amy Vandenham have also been pivotal to the Saints’ revamped attack, easing the load on their game-changing defensive unit.
With Talbot, Maryborough and Newstead all desperate to chase them down in the standings, the Saints will need to maintain their recent momentum to secure their place inside the top eight.