Sport
8 July, 2025
Natte back to winning ways at Navarre’s expense
Natte Bealiba has rebounded from their heartbreaking first loss of the season in style, disposing of local rivals Navarre away from home in a 28-goal win.
Having to replace the unavailable Ellie Martin, who impressed in the Swans’ loss to Avoca, Macy Tatchell returned to the side to help defensively alongside Ashlee McClelland.
The Grasshoppers also made numerous additions following their shock loss to Trentham in their last match, welcoming back deadeye shooter Brianna Hyslop and winger Hayley Reading.
Even with the omission of Martin and the reintroduced firepower of Hyslop and Reading, Natte’s defence, anchored by Bella Westbrook, allowed just seven goals in the opening term.
That was the catalyst for the visitors to head into quarter time with a noticeable nine-goal lead.
MCDFNL leading goal-scorer Emma Ryan caused problems for Navarre immediately, scoring 15 goals in the first period. Her teammate Shannae Mills also scored a goal.
Chloe Frank and shooting partner Hyslop managed to shake off some early cobwebs, scoring four and three respectively for the Grasshoppers.
In a bid to slow down Natte’s scoring rate, Navarre began switching Ryan’s marker throughout the second quarter.
The game plan worked, as the Grasshoppers started to implement their defensive prowess into the match in the defensive third and midcourt. Sophie Flood in particular helped the hosts limit Ryan’s production in the second quarter.
Despite, Ryan’s 13 goals and Mills’ one goal building Natte’s lead out to 12 goals at half time, a much more competitive second term fuelled Navarre with renewed hope they could contend with the Swans in the second half.
The improved shooting of Frank added to that hope, as she scored seven in the second period while Hyslop netted four.
That optimism diminished as the third quarter played out, with the Swans reassurting control in the midcourt thanks to the fresher legs of Tatchell and McClelland.
Ryan had more luck navigating Navarre’s defence to start the second half, netting all of Natte’s 15 goals in the third quarter to put the hosts virtually out of reach with an 18-goal lead heading into the final quarter.
Erin Jackson brought some positives for the Grasshoppers when she was subbed into the goal circle for Frank, converting four while Hyslop top-scored with five.
Another strong defensive performance in the fourth period sealed the deal for the Swans, getting back on track after losing their bid for an undefeated season the week prior.
After scoring 16 goals from just 17 shots in the final term, Ryan ended on a game-high 59 goals, solidifying herself as the league’s most dangerous shooter this season sitting 143 goals ahead of her fellow shooters in the MCDFNL goal-scoring charts.
Frank moved back into the goal circle in the last 15 minutes for Jackson, ending on a team-high 16 goals with five fourth-quarter goals while Hyslop had a perfect trifecta of shots.