Sport
19 August, 2025
Competitive Giants go down to Natte by 33 points
Natte Bealiba will now set their attention on earning back-to-back premierships for the first time in the MCDFNL after disposing of the Maryborough Giants by 33 points.
The Swans’ first of four hurdles will come at Avoca Recreation Reserve on Sunday, set to play Maldon in the first elimination final after the Bombers won four of their last six games to storm into the eight.
Following their disheartening loss to Talbot last week that destroyed their chances of the top four, Natte were keen to make quick work of the Giants at Hedges Oval, leading by 19 points at the first break with four first-quarter goals.
Key forward Will Holt maintained his recent sparkling form for the Swans, becoming an immediate problem for the hosts with his contested marking ability and clinical finishing.
After suffering back-to-back triple-digit losses to contenders Carisbrook and Trentham, the Giants were determined to prevent an identical fate against Natte.
Similar to their round five encounter with the Swans, the Giants were brilliant in the second quarter, applying serious pressure on the ball and capitalising on multiple mistakes.
A five-goal to two second term in favour of the hosts cut their deficit to three points, with everything to play for in the second half.
The reigning premiers emphatically answered back in the third quarter, booting eight goals to the Giants’ one to put the result to bed with a 47-point lead at the final change.
The visitors preserved their advantage to start the fourth quarter thanks to Jordan Fraser, Bailey Jacobs and Stephen Ross, allowing them to ease through the final term.
Credit to the Giants, they took full advantage of the Swans’ understandable conservative approach considering their injuries, winning the final quarter to end their season on a positive note.
Despite being forced to play in various positions across the ground, Jake Postle was brilliant, named among Natte’s best players along with Holt, Jaxson Stewart, Fraser, Jacobs and Jordi Cossar.
Holt finished the match with a season-high seven goals, while Jacobs booted four and Fraser and Postle kicked two goals each.
One of the positives for the Giants this season has been their ability to put some points on the board.
Matthew Johnston, Karson Guareschi and co-captain Cody Wright proved that point by kicking multiple goals against the Swans, with Johnston leading the way with three majors.
Johnston and Wright were also listed among the best players for the Giants alongside Sam Spink, Jack Broad, Zayne Earl and Ryan Howell.
