Sport
21 April, 2026
Newstead overcome early Navarre barrage to stun Grasshoppers by 21 points
After missing out on the top eight in 2025, Newstead has delivered a timely statement of intent to the rest of the competition, upsetting premiership hopefuls Navarre by 21 points.
Navarre got off to a flying start, booting three goals in the opening five minutes through Riley Bibby, Jack Mentha and Brady Tillig.
Even though the Steaders kept the Grasshoppers in touching distance as neither team scored a major for the remainder of the quarter, the home crowd looked set to witness a comfortable victory with the Grasshoppers leading by 17 points at quarter time.
That feeling only grew when Oliver Notting goaled five minutes into the second term, extending Navarre’s advantage. However, from that point on, the game turned dramatically.
Newstead lifted their intensity and control around the contest, slamming on six of the next seven goals to completely flip the match.
Majors from Ethan Maltby, Will Moran, Bailey McMurtrie, Lachlan O’Brien, Joel Smith and Liam O’Brien propelled the visitors into an seven-point lead at the main break.
The third quarter saw Newstead continue their dominance, piling on another five goals while restricting Navarre to just a single behind.
At three-quarter time, the margin had blown out to 37 points and the result looked all but decided.
Sam Winnard and Lachlan O’Brien each kicked two goals for the term, while Smith added one, as the visitors took complete control of the contest.
To their credit, the Grasshoppers mounted a spirited fightback in the final term.
They controlled much of the play early and generated the first eight scoring shots, with goals from Mentha, Sam Rickard and John Jok cutting the margin back to 15 points and lifting the home crowd.
However, just as momentum appeared to be swinging, Harrison McGuire stepped up for Newstead, kicking a crucial goal to steady the visitors and effectively seal an impressive win.
Newstead’s ability to wrestle back control after a slow start and dominate the middle stages proved the difference in a standout performance on the road.
Newstead named Nicholas Woodman, Moran, Smith, Lachlan O’ Brien, who finished with four goals, Liam O’Brien and Brad Richardson as their best players.
Navarre named Angus Bade, Bibby, Will Moloney, Luke Hendy, Mentha and Jok as their best players.