Sport
26 May, 2026
Natte win first game of the season at Maldon’s expense
Natte Bealiba has emphatically awoken from their nightmarish start to 2026 with a gritty 23-point victory over Maldon.
The Swans found themselves in a perilous position at Bill Woodfull Reserve when the Bombers booted the first three goals of the second half.
With the alarming threat of dropping to a shocking 0-6 record looming around their heads, Natte recaptured their typically elite form, rallying around their strong clearance work and clean ball movement to kick nine of the last 11 goals in the match to snap their losing streak.
After being sidelined with an injury he suffered in Natte’s season-opener against Navarre, vice-captain Jai Howell made up for lost time with a five-goal haul to guide his team to a vital four points.
Despite Howell’s return, it was Maldon who dominated the opening term, as they looked to rectify their 188-point thrashing against Trentham with a key victory against the team that knocked them out of the elimination final last season.
The Bombers registered 10 scoring shots in the first quarter, but with seven of those attempts resulting in behinds, they were forced to settle for a 10-point lead at the end of the quarter.
With the Swans beginning to find their footing in transition after the short interval, it looked as though Maldon would deeply regret their early kicking miscues immediately as the margin began to close.
While they eventually relinquished the lead thanks to four second-quarter goals from Natte, the defensive security blanket of Darcy Kelly, Thomas McNeill and Isaiah Hartley ensured the Bombers were trailing by just a point at half time.
Like the first quarter, Maldon started the second half on top. Unlike the first quarter, they fully capitalised on their supremacy with three straight goals to not only wrestle back the lead, but build a 17-point buffer.
Following the Bombers' quickfire trifecta, Natte managed to regroup rather quickly and trap the ball inside their forward half. The constant pressure was eventually rewarded when Howell finished an easy chance in the goal square.
The Swans would add another goal late in the term to bring the margin back to three points at the final change.
After coaches Denis Grinton and Damian Wust stressed the importance of this match to their teams, both teams had enough opportunities to win the game in the fourth quarter.
In a quarter where every shot mattered, Natte Bealiba showcased flawless execution inside 50, scoring 7.0 to Maldon’s 2.4 in the closing stages to wrap up a thrilling contest.
Aidan Medlyn continues to have an exceptional season for the Swans, named among their best players alongside Howell, Trent Mortlock, Joshua Ross, Nathan Holt and Jayden Brydon.
Ethan Ross also impressed in his return to the team alongside Howell, kicking three goals.
As for Maldon, Kelly, Aaron Millen, McNeill, Tadgh Cananzi, Wust and Coby Bennett were listed as their best players, while Bailey Brown led his team goal-kicking with three majors after missing the previous two matches.