Sport
8 July, 2025
Newstead build finals buffer after dominant win
Newstead have created a vital six-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack for their finals spot thanks to their 75-14 demolition of Maldon.
Looking to build from one of their strongest displays of the season against Dunolly, Claire Kelly returned for Maldon to bring a needed injection to their midcourt. Ashley McKinnon was the Bombers’ other addition, making her first appearance for A grade this season with Claire Hamilton and Heidi Brookes unavailable.
Newstead entered the contest with the same team that took care of Harcourt in round 11.
The Steaders’ defensive pairing of Chelsey Williams and Zoe Douglas wasted no time setting the tone, restricting the visitors to three goals in the first quarter.
That coupled with clinical shooting from Brianna Jury and Tayla Gale got Newstead off to the perfect start, already leading by 20 goals at quarter time.
Gale top-scored with 12 while Jury was close behind with 11.
Jessica Currie and Tahni Clark kept creating openings in Maldon’s defence when play resumed for the second quarter, which Jury and Gale took full advantage of.
The pair combined for 19 goals in the second period to help extend the gap to 35 goals at half time.
After starting the season sporadically subbed into a shooting role, Alice McManus started the game in the goal circle, getting on the scoresheet with two second-quarter goals.
The half time break didn’t provide any respite for Maldon, as Newstead remained ruthless in defence, conceding just three goals in the third period while their offence remained humming. The margin sat at 48 goals at three-quarter time.
The Bombers’ Emma Webb and Gabrielle Kelly forced some inaccurate shooting from Jury and Gale to start the second half, but the pair recovered with Jury netting nine and Gale adding seven.
McManus moved from goal attack to goal shooter in the third quarter, adding another two goals for the visitors.
A 17-4 final term was the icing on the cake for the Steaders, putting themselves in a great position to repeat their 2024 finals berth after their 61-goal win.
Ten goals in the fourth period allowed Gale to finish as the game’s top scorer with 40 goals, while Jury was close behind with 35 goals after scoring seven in the last quarter.