Sport
12 June, 2026
MCDFNL Round 9 Netball Preview Navarre v Lexton
More than personal pride will be at stake when Navarre hosts Lexton this weekend, with both teams striving for a statement victory to their premiership hopes.
With the Tigers set to face Carisbrook, Trentham and Natte Bealiba in the next month and the Grasshoppers having a nearly identical run against Avoca, the Redbacks and Saints, Saturday’s encounter could have massive ramifications on the finals picture.
These two teams aren’t strangers to altering each other’s destiny, as a rampant second half allowed Lexton to overcome an early deficit and knock out Navarre in last season’s elimination final.
Looking to avenge their promising yet unfulfilling 2025 campaign, the Grasshoppers have caught the competition’s attention this year, currently sitting in third thanks to an impressive seven-game win streak.
Despite back-to-back defeats to Dunolly and Avoca, the fifth-placed Tigers sit just four points behind the Grasshoppers in the standings, with Saturday proving the perfect opportunity to eliminate their deficit to the top four.
It won’t be an easy task, as Navarre has routinely rampaged through their opponents this season, possessing an average winning margin of 50.6 goals.
With Navarre’s shooting tandem of Zanaiya Bergen and Aliza Lockhart capable of game-changing runs, the Tigers will call upon Shanae Hepworth and Eliza Bell to contain the deadly duo.
Lexton midcourters Caitlin Howell and Darci Berry will also play key roles in ensuring rising star Charlize Kennedy can settle in quickly against the Grasshoppers’ vaunted defence consisting of Jade Allen, Jess Parry and Grace Long.