Sport
2 June, 2026
Lexton fight hard but Avoca prove too strong
Avoca entered their two-week mid-season break on another high note, overcoming a valiant Lexton with a proficient 20-goal victory.
For a team hyper-critical of their starts in recent weeks, the Bulldogs powered away early by locking the Tigers into a defensive cage in the first quarter.
After Lexton broke their shackles thanks to the returning Charlize Kennedy and Darci Berry, Avoca’s offence denied any comeback hopes with a 19-goal fourth quarter.
Alongside the aforementioned addition of Kennedy, who was dearly missed in Lexton’s last match against Dunolly, the Tigers welcomed in debuting midcourter Sally Riley.
While Lexton’s lineup changes had a noticeable effect on their attacking potential, it had the opposite effect on their defence as premium protector Sarah Griffin was unavailable.
As for the Bulldogs, Bridie Kennedy was recalled into wing defence after she missed her team’s round seven victory against Dunolly.
Thanks to Griffin’s omission, the Tigers made the bold decision to shift their stalwart centre, Caitlin Howell, to goal defence, given the role to mark 2025 Grand Final best on court, Gina Steel.
The gamble proved fruitful in some aspects, as Lexton completed its objective of denying the Bulldogs easy scoring opportunities.
Yet with Howell out of their midcourt, Lexton struggled to surpass Avoca’s defensive twin towers of Caitlin Drummond and Ella Patten.
Thanks to their telepathic defensive movement and incredible instincts, Drummond and Patten allowed just six goals in the opening 15 minutes, giving the defending champions an eight-goal quarter-time lead at Lexton Reserve.
After switching Kennedy and Rachel Phelan’s shooting positions, the Tigers looked to recover from a challenging opening term by platooning their lineup.
Eliza Bell stepped in at wing defence and goal defence during the second quarter, allowing Howell to move back into her typical position at centre.
That helped Kennedy rebuild some confidence as she began to match well against one of the league’s premier defenders in Drummond, giving Lexton a much-needed boost.
Even as Shanae Hepworth remained exemplary job restricting service to Avoca player-coach Maddy Egan, the Bulldogs still managed to boost their advantage to 13 goals at half time.
With Howell shifting back into the midcourt alongside Riley and Cindy Teggerth, Lexton started the second half well, forcing an array of uncharacteristic turnovers from the reigning premiers and producing several impressive offensive passages.
However, the Bulldogs still remained one step ahead of their opponents, completing multiple centre breaks to enter three-quarter time up by 18 goals.
Despite Kennedy and Phelan going on a torrid scoring spree in the fourth quarter, Avoca were equally efficient, as Stacey Blair and Lucy Howell routinely found Egan with pinpoint lobbed entry passes that Hepworth was helpless to parry away.
Egan ended with a game-high 44 goals after a brilliant final term that secured the Bulldogs’ eighth win of the season. Steel provided her typically reliable support for Egan, finishing with 18 goals.
Kennedy made a noticeable return for the Tigers with 31 goals while Phelan netted 11.