Sport
1 May, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Netball Round 4 Preview — Navarre vs Maldon
After wiping out the taste of a bitter opening round defeat with dominant displays against Newstead and the Maryborough Giants, Navarre will look to cement itself as a premiership contender versus Maldon.
While the Giants looked to battle throughout, the Grasshoppers leapt to a 22-goal half-time advantage, fuelled by the goals of Aliza Lockhart and Zanaiya Bergen.
Arriving from Wedderburn and Rupanyup respectively, Lockhart and Bergen have combined to give their new team an elite offence that can punish teams in the goal circle.
Thrown a surprise conundrum of teenage headliner Lacey Broad’s Giants return, Sidney Dyer and Amber Perry did an excellent job swarming their opposing midcourters, making it extremely difficult for Broad to get her hands on the netball.
Jess Parry and Brianna Hyslop were also instrumental in keeping Maryborough to 25 goals last weekend, a feat they would like to replicate against the Bombers.
The 83-30 final score line doesn’t showcase how Maldon had extended periods of challenging the three-time reigning premiers in their round three defeat.
With Rory Baker, Claire Kelly and Charlotte Harrison keeping up with Avoca in the midcourt, Sophie Zammit and Alannah Furmston pounced on their chances to hit the scoreboard, adding 13 goals in the second quarter.
The Bombers will now look to harness their impressive passages against the Bulldogs and Lexton into a more complete performance versus Navarre before their schedule softens towards the middle of the season.