Sport
2 June, 2026
Navarre earns decisive victory over Dunolly
Navarre has added another statement victory to their increasingly imposing resume, overpowering Dunolly at Deledio Reserve by 30 goals.
Dunolly had some bright spots throughout, particularly in the third quarter, but the Grasshoppers were never truly threatened after outscoring the Eagles 34-17 in the first half.
While Navarre will now take a seven-game win streak into another intriguing matchup with Lexton following the King’s Birthday long weekend, Dunolly will look to bring a more sustained challenge against another contender in Carisbrook.
Both teams were relatively unchanged heading into this matchup, with Navarre defender Grace Long the main addition to either side.
Long immediately slotted alongside Jess Parry and Jade Allen in the heart of a Grasshoppers defence that kept a promising Eagles attack to single digits in the first quarter.
While Dunolly’s defensive tandem of Ashlee Lierich and Teagan Hovey did a tremendous job preventing their opponents from building an insurmountable early lead, Navarre’s reliable consistency ensured they built a definitive edge.
With midcourters Sidney Dyer and Brooke Currie providing elite service, Zanaiya Bergen and Aliza Lockhart scored 16 goals in the opening term as the Grasshoppers built a seven-goal lead at quarter time.
Despite the Eagles’ best efforts to cut back the deficit, Navarre’s advantage continued to expand in the second quarter, routinely punishing untimely turnovers.
Even when Lockhart and Bergen missed shots, their exceptional rebounding ability led to several second-chance opportunities.
Boasting a healthy 17-goal lead at half time, it seemed as though the Grasshoppers would cruise to another commanding result.
However, similarly to their eye-catching first half against Avoca, the Eagles came out firing after the main break.
While Mel Schodde, Ruby Lang and Charlotte Liddicoat lifted their intensity in the midcourt, Dunolly shooters Lara Clements and Hannah Kenny showcased an improved clinicalness to start the second half.
Alongside their strides on offence, Lierich and Hovey kept the dangerous Navarre attack to 11 goals in the third term.
Navarre responded to the evenly matched low-scoring third quarter by pouring on 19 goals in the final period, adding to their premiership credentials with a 64-34 win.
Against Lierich’s constant surveillance, Bergen remained a valuable avenue for Navarre’s attack, ending with 38 goals.
Lockhart continues to cement herself as one of the best players in the competition in her inaugural campaign, scoring at least 25 goals for the seventh consecutive week.
Player-coach Clements continues to be a vital cog in Dunolly’s offence, netting 22 goals in defeat, while her shooting partner Kenny scored 12.