Sport
24 April, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Football Round Three Preview — Maryborough Giants v Navarre
Maryborough Giants return home to Hedges Oval full of confidence after a statement win, but they face a dangerous Navarre outfit desperate to respond after letting one slip in what shapes as a high-energy contest.
Maryborough Giants return home to Hedges Oval full of confidence after a statement win, but they face a dangerous Navarre outfit desperate to respond after letting one slip in what shapes as a high-energy contest.
The Giants were outstanding in their Round two clash against Avoca, setting the game up with a blistering first half that showcased their speed, ball movement and efficiency going forward.
By half time they had effectively put the game beyond doubt, piling on 10 goals and keeping the Bulldogs scoreless for nearly two quarters.
However, there was also a warning sign. After half time, the Giants were outplayed, conceding eight goals to three as their intensity dropped. Against a side like Navarre, that type of lapse could prove far more costly.
Navarre’s loss to Newstead will sting, particularly given how well they started. The Grasshoppers burst out of the blocks with three early goals and looked in complete control before being overrun through the middle stages.
A six-goal swing either side of half time turned the match on its head, exposing some vulnerability when the game tightened around the contest.
Despite that, Navarre showed resilience late. They dominated early in the final term, generating repeated forward entries and eight scoring shots to claw their way back into the game. Jack Mentha, Riley Bibby and John Jok all provided impact up forward, while Angus Bade and Will Moloney were strong contributors around the ground.