Sport
19 May, 2026
Lions stay undefeated after overcoming Redbacks
The Harcourt Lions are now the only team in the MCDFNL jungle to remain undefeated in 2026 after their immense 22-point victory over Carisbrook.
While accuracy issues plagued their ability to prowl away from their prey, three late goals from Mitch Rees, Jed Rodda and Brady Stroud allowed the Lions to seal the win in the fourth quarter.
The likes of Billy Quirk, Jordan Gartside, Mark Noonan and Josh Taig were instrumental in limiting the Redbacks’ red-hot forward line to just nine scoring shots all match, allowing Harcourt to take sole custody of the top spot on the MCDFNL ladder.
Despite receiving its first blemish on its record, Carisbrook remains in a very healthy position in third, with a chance to immediately rebound against Campbells Creek this weekend.
An intense feeling immediately sweltered around Harcourt Recreation Reserve, as both teams tirelessly battled around the contest in a hard-hitting first term.
With both teams denying their opponents’ typically fluid run and carry early, it took 12 minutes for Harcourt’s Mitchell McKnight to kick the first goal of the contest.
Despite the Lions being on top for the majority of the term, an errant kick in from Joshua Hogg allowed Ricky Pearson, fresh off kicking eight goals against Maldon, to open the goal scoring for the Redbacks.
Another disposal miscue from Harcourt deep in their defensive 50 opened the door for Todd Bryant to snap truly and give Carisbrook a four-point lead at quarter time.
As space around the ground began to open up for both teams, Baxter Gurd put the Lions back in front with a successful set-shot four minutes into the second quarter.
Gurd added a second shortly thereafter, pouncing on a loose ball and racing away to snap beautifully and give his team a valuable buffer.
Gurd’s quickfire double sparked a spree of scoring opportunities for Harcourt throughout the term, but the hosts were unable to truly capitalise on their chances, ending the term kicking four consecutive behinds.
That allowed a strong mark and score from Carisbrook’s superstar forward Tim Rinaldi to keep the visitors within a goal at half time despite having five fewer scoring shots.
While the Lions started the better of the two sides, Carisbrook’s exceptional tacking and defensive structure kept the hosts ever-threatening attack contained to one behind in the first 10 minutes of a low-scoring start to the second half.
Eventually, it was Rodda who booted Harcourt’s long-awaited goal with a crisp set shot at the 15-minute mark to elevate the margin to 14 points.
Brady Neill cut that margin back to single digits after a free kick and a 50 metre penalty gave him a set shot from point-blank range.
With the Lions leading by eight points at three-quarter time, both teams were determined to leave this hotly-contested clash with their perfect record intact.
An unlikely source drew first blood in the fourth quarter as Harcourt’s Rees kicked a brilliant goal from the pocket to afford the hosts some valuable breathing room.
The margin immediately shrank back to eight points courtesy of Rinaldi, who answered back by converting a well-taken set shot.
Despite all of Carisbrook’s efforts at a breakthrough, Harcourt kept them scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, with Quirk and Gartside key in denying a Redbacks comeback.
After a successful Rodda set-shot, a Harry Whitty conceded 50 metre penalty led to Stroud sealing Harcourt’s victory with a brilliant kick just inside 50.
Cameron Anderson and Thomas Walters joined the defensive quartet of Quirk, Gartside, Noonan and Taig as Harcourt’s best players.
Reigning Berry Powell medallist Jackson Bowen virtually covered every blade of grass on Saturday, a constant threat to intercept any Harcourt kick.
Elliot Brandon-Jones, Andrew Toan, James Allan, Lachlan Hull and Neill joined Bowen as Carisbrook’s standout performers.