Sport
1 May, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Football Round 4 Preview — Newstead vs Dunolly
With both teams off the back of completely different round three results, Newstead’s upcoming battle with Dunolly is set to be an intriguing affair.
It took a quarter for the Eagles to take flight against Campbells Creek, but when they did, they made it count, booting five unanswered goals in the second quarter.
Dylan Burt, Joel Fisher, Lachlan Tranter and Lachlan Watson ran the show in the midfield, allowing Darcy Conder and Lloyd Needs to boot three goals each.
The 66-point victory will be a massive confidence boost for a team once again hoping to challenge for finals after starting their season with back-to-back defeats.
Meanwhile, Newstead is in a completely different boat. After soaring at the speed of knots with wins over Avoca and Navarre, the Steaders are looking to repatch their hull after being shipwrecked by Trentham.
Newstead remains in a formidable position after their 95-point defeat, with Michael Dalrymple, Joel Smith, Will Moran, Sam Winnard and Lachlan O’Brien all starting 2026 in brilliant form.
However, ahead of a critical juncture in their season with the Eagles, Natte Bealiba, the Maryborough Giants and Maldon over their next four games, the Steaders can ill afford to have one performance squander their promising start.
Dunolly has had Newstead’s number over the past two seasons, winning their last four encounters with the Steaders, including a wet and wild 2024 Elimination Final at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, which broke the Eagles’ 15-year finals drought.