Sport
8 July, 2025
Navarre stun Natte in landmark win
Navarre has crashed Trent Morlock’s 400th game celebrations, upsetting the reigning premiers Natte Bealiba in a magnificent 20-point victory to win the Hannett-Ross Shield.
Aaron Slorach played a key role in the victory for Navarre, slotting six goals for the game.
The Grasshoppers jumped out of the blocks and controlled play with the first five shots resulting in two goals through Brady Tillig and Brad Carter, who also kicked three behinds.
The Swans kicked their first goal of the game through Will Holt to complete an exciting first term, as Navarre led by two points at the first change.
Navarre held the visitor’s goalless in the second term, while Aaron Slorach and Riley Bibby slotted two goals apiece for the Grasshoppers to lead by 23 points at half time.
Slorach kicked four goals in the third term for the home team, but Natte was able to kick truly on three occasions, trailing by 36 points at the final change.
Natte mounted a late comeback, with goals from Archie Chadwick and Emmett Smith to be within three goals at the seven-minute mark.
A Trent Mortlock goal at the 18-minute mark made it a 13-point ball game, but the contest was sealed when Tillig split the big sticks in the dying stages of the match, handing Navarre their biggest win of the season.
Navarre’s new recruit from the Eastern Swans in Mackay, Jack Mentha, led the way for Navarre, being named as their best player along with Daniel Reading, Zac Varley, Tillig, John Jok and Slorach.
Natte named Daniel Vadala, Stephen Ross, Josh Grant, Jake Postle and Bailey Jacobs as their best players.