Sport
28 April, 2026
Grasshoppers bounce past the Giants
Navarre continued to improve their 2026 resume on Sunday, convincingly vanquishing the Maryborough Giants, 71-25.
Despite the unfamiliar setting at the Maryborough Netball Associa-tion complex, the Grasshoppers produced an incredibly well-rounded performance to move within touching distance of the top four.
In a shocking turn of events, back-to-back MCDFNL Team of the Year player and member of the Bendigo Strikers’ VNL Reserve squad, Lacey Broad, made a surprise return to the Giants thanks to Golden Square not playing on Anzac Day weekend.
Broad started on the bench in the first quarter, as the Grasshoppers quickly locked down Maryborough’s attack.
After being omitted from Navarre’s 80-goal demolition of Newstead, Brianna Hyslop started brilliantly in her relatively new role, as she, Jess Parry and Amber Perry conceded just five goals in the opening 15 minutes.
The Giants’ defensive trio of Riahni Egan, Amelia Reynolds and Jorgia Brown attempted to keep the hosts within touching distance, but Navarre’s Aliza Lockhart and Zanaiya Bergen did enough to break away from their surveillance, helping their team to an 11-goal lead with their shots.
After making several changes throughout the opening term, the Giants continued to shuffle in the second quarter, headlined by Broad coming on at goal shooter.
Egan and Macey Parry platooned time at wing defence while Maddison Smith and Jessie Tolson looked to provide a spark to Maryborough’s midcourt.
Despite those alterations, the Giants were unable to gain any ground on the Grasshoppers, with Parry and Hyslop doing well to contain Broad’s impact while Perry, Sidney Dyer and Brooke Currie controlled the midcourt.
A 19-8 second period allowed Navarre to extend its advantage to 22 goals at the main interval.
Despite the Giants utilising all 11 players at their disposal during the third quarter, the Grasshoppers kept their foot on the gas to begin the second half.
Lockhart and Bergen continued to provide elite offensive firepower for the visitors, combining to make 21 goals in the third term to seal the result for Navarre.
Boasting a 35-goal lead at three-quarter time, the Grasshoppers opened some playing time for their defensive depth, with standout junior Chloe Cassidy and Grace Long impressing during the fourth quarter.
The Giants showed some fight on the defensive end during the closing stages, but it didn’t stop Navarre from taking an impressive 46-goal win.
Bergen once again led the Grasshoppers in scoring with 45 goals, while Lockhart showcased her shooting touch by making 26 of her 33 attempts.
Despite only playing in the second and third quarters, the returning Broad finished as the Giants’ top scorer with 12.
Broad was one of four Maryborough shooters to find the net, with Laura McStravick netting 10, Reynolds making two and Bridget Allan adding one.