Sport
10 July, 2026
MCDFNL Round 13 Netball Preview Natte Newstead v Lexton
Lexton will look to etch another victory on the road to their 14th consecutive finals appearance when they stop at Newstead Recreation Reserve to take on the Steaders.
Even after over a decade of consistent premiership contention, the Tigers remain a staple of the top eight, showcasing their ability to oppose the league’s elite during last weekend’s entertaining encounter with ladder-leaders Natte Bealiba.
Despite the dynamic duo of Rachel Phelan and Charlize Kennedy consistently finding the bottom of the net and defenders Shanae Hepworth and Eliza Bell expertly surveying the goal circle, key moments didn’t fall the Tigers’ way against the Swans, eventually falling by 12 goals.
While Saturday’s defeat didn’t hamper their standing inside the top eight, Lexton would like to maintain their breathing room from teams currently embroiled in a tense finals battle with strong results in July.
The Tigers hope that begins against a Newstead team who suffered a crushing blow to their finals aspirations last weekend with a 14-goal defeat to Dunolly.
While an eight-point deficit to the finals spots with six rounds remaining is potentially catchable, a brutal run of fixtures to end their home and away season makes that deficit look like Mount Everest.
That isn’t to say the Steaders can’t be competitive to finish 2026, with defenders Layla Benson-Zepnick and Amelia Britt poised to be an intriguing test for Phelan and Kennedy. Caitlan Bird and Jessica Currie have also been consistent contributors for Newstead, set to match up with Caitlin Howell and Cindy Teggerth in the midcourt.