Sport
28 July, 2026
Maldon proves too good for Lexton, eyes off finals
One year on from quashing Lexton’s top-eight dreams and placing themselves on the precipice of finals football, Maldon summoned a deadly dose of deja vu, earning a statement victory that could catapult them to an improbable finals berth.
Unlike last season’s nail-biting 14-point triumph, Maldon made Saturday’s sequel a bloodbath, with Darcy Kelly, Harrison Tulloch and Damian Wust bombarding the Tigers during a 12-goal second half on their way to a memorable 86-point victory.
The result places the Bombers level on points with Natte Bealiba for the last finals spot ahead of another crucial clash this Saturday against Avoca, while Lexton will need a convincing victory over Campbells Creek following their round 16 bye to have any chance of rectifying a heartbreaking defeat.
Fitting of the contest’s enormity, the opening term was a hyper-intense affair, with the Tigers and Bombers’ relentless battle for possession resulting in repeat stoppages.
With the Thomas McNeill, Matthew Gray and Isaiah Hartley led backline conceding just two points in the first quarter, Maldon had a golden opportunity to snatch the early momentum.
However, a combination of untimely miscues and the defensive efforts of Eric Wilkinson and Thomas McGregor held Maldon to 1.4 in the opening term.
Keen to amplify their slim eight-point lead after quarter time, the Bombers’ firepower began to overwhelm the Tigers in the second quarter, making full use of the large dimensions at Lexton Reserve to spread play and facilitate their high-tempo ball movement.
With Wust, Kelly and Will Golds showcasing their talents around the contest and Tulloch providing a dominant leading target inside 50, the visitors entered half time with a commanding 31-point advantage that had Lexton’s finals hopes hanging by a thread.
The Tigers knew they needed an outstanding start to the second half to have any chance of a memorable comeback, but despite the best efforts of Luke Madden, Hunter Greene and Josh Carey, Maldon continued to dominate after the break.
After a brilliant first half, Tulloch remained a constant nightmare for the Tigers, routinely a threat on goal whenever he touched the ball.
With Tulloch spearheading their potent attack, the Bombers bolstered their lead to 55 points by three-quarter time.
The visitors compounded Lexton’s misery with a six-goal fourth quarter, a fairytale end to a historic Bombers performance.
After terrorising the Tigers with six goals, Tulloch was an easy selection for Maldon’s best players alongside Kelly, who kicked three goals, Wust, Noah Thompson, McNeill and Tristian Rowe.
Lexton named Madden, Greene, Wilkinson, Carey, Billy Briody and emerging teenager Zavier Duff as their standout performers in a bitter defeat.