Sport
24 April, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Netball Round 3 Preview — Maryborough Giants vs Navarre
In a battle between two of the MCDFNL’s formidable netball programs, the Maryborough Giants look to maintain their contender status against a Navarre team hoping to leapfrog them in 2026 and make a top four push.
With the netball courts at Hedges Oval being redeveloped as part of a $450,000 upgrade, the Giants will be playing their home games at the nearby Maryborough Netball Association for the foreseeable future.
Their new location also signifies the unique situation the Giants currently find themselves in, as a team that’s been a perennial contender since its inception is now in a challenging spot with a 0-2 record.
Meanwhile, the Grasshoppers look to be rising following a breakout 2025 campaign, challenging Natte Bealiba in round one before dominating Newstead by 80 goals last weekend.
Similar to last season, the Giants haven’t been helped by a brutal opening schedule, hoping to develop a new, youthful core with Lexton, Avoca, Navarre, Carisbrook and Natte Bealiba, teams that all finished with at least eight wins last season, in the first six rounds.
However, while Maryborough could take some consolation in narrow defeats to Avoca, Carisbrook and Natte last season, a 24-3 second term from the Bulldogs overshadowed the Giants’ competitive patches last weekend, a run they can ill afford to have against Navarre.
Following her outstanding start to the season, Giants defender Riahni Egan will be an intriguing challenge for Grasshoppers shooters Zanaiya Bergen and Aliza Lockhart after they scored an eye-popping 96 goals against Newstead last weekend.