Sport
12 June, 2026
MCDFNL Round 9 Football Preview Carisbrook v Dunolly
The Redbacks will look to tighten their stranglehold on the top four when they welcome Dunolly to Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
Last season’s runner-up returns from the league-wide break in excellent shape, as their electrifying two-point victory over fellow contenders Talbot before the long weekend cemented their place in second.
After finishing among the top three in points allowed during the past three seasons, Carisbrook continues to set the benchmark for defensive excellence, conceding just six goals against Talbot’s high-powered attack.
With Elliot Brandon-Jones and James Allan joining an already highly-touted back six consisting of Luke Jones, Andrew Toan and the emerging Anden Lever, the Redbacks have allowed a league-leading average of 39.4 points a game this season.
It’s a brick wall Dunolly will attempt to circumvent on Saturday as they try to gain ground on the top eight.
The Eagles are currently eight points adrift of Lexton in eighth, and with Natte Bealiba playing Campbells Creek and Avoca enjoying the bye, a convincing defeat would put them further behind their fellow finals hopefuls.
With Jay McDonald and Bailey Morton patrolling the back six while Mitchell Goodwin and Lachlan Tranter drove them forward in the contest, Dunolly matched well with Navarre in the first half a fortnight ago, trailing by 16 points at the main break.
However, besides another standout performance from Joel Fisher, who finished with four goals, the Eagles struggled to generate a powerful offensive punch against the Grasshoppers, limited to eight points in the second half.