Sport
16 June, 2026
Maryborough survives fierce Maldon fightback
The Maryborough Giants survived a furious second half comeback by Maldon to etch themselves closer to the top eight with a tense 35-29 victory.
Thanks to a breakout performance from Bridget Allan and the defensive excellence of Riahni Egan and Macey Parry, the Giants looked uncatchable at half time until a tremendous third quarter allowed Maldon to cut the margin back to four goals.
Under constant threat from the Bombers’ barrage, the Giants prevailed to stay level on points with Talbot in eighth after their big victory over Trentham.
The Giants entered Bill Woodfull Reserve somewhat understaffed, with Lacey Broad, Maddison Smith and Jorgia Brown all unavailable.
Returning youngster Kayley Walhouse gave the visitors a valuable boost in the midcourt early alongside Emme Johnson, who started well in her first appearance for A grade this season.
With Maldon key defender Claire Hamilton unavailable and co-captain Alannah Furmston forced out early, the Giants threatened to build a noticeable advantage early.
Yet young gun Eva Gross and Gabrielle Kelly stood up in Hamilton’s absence while an excellent shooting spell from Laney McNeill kept the margin down to two goals at quarter time.
As the game remained in the balance after the opening term, the Giants looked to have made their decisive move in the second quarter.
Following her switch from goal keeper to her typical wing defence, Parry was terrorising Maldon’s midcourt, which began to struggle with untimely turnovers.
Walhouse and Jessie Tolson pounced on those miscues, allowing Allan to build upon her excellent first quarter in the goal circle.
With the Parry and Egan led defence allowing two goals in the second quarter, Maryborough held a comfortable nine-goal lead at half time.
Outside of some minor changes that brought McNeill into wing attack and moved Charlotte Harrison back to centre, the Bombers remained confident their current structure could wrestle back control in the second half.
That belief proved valid almost immediately as Maldon reverted to their opening term promise. Gross and Kelly were matching well with Allan and Laura McStravick in the second half, limiting the service to Maryborough’s shooters.
After a challenging second quarter, B grade callup Louise Clarke and Sophie Zammit began to develop an offensive rhythm, exemplifying the Bombers’ defensive pressure as they chipped away at the deficit.
With the margin sitting at just four goals at three-quarter time, the stage was set for a captivating final quarter.
The Bombers continued to unload their entire arsenal onto the Giants as they looked for a gateway to a long-awaited victory.
However, a clinical Maryborough offence ensured the gateway was locked shut, with Allan completing a remarkable performance by making 22 of her 28 goal attempts. McStravick was also impressive for the Giants, netting 13.
Zammit topped scored for Maldon with 16 goals, while Clarke provided a spark in her A grade introduction, adding eight. McNeill was a perfect four for four in the first quarter and Furmston made one before leaving the game in the first quarter.