Sport
2 June, 2026
Newstead topple Maldon by 85 points
Against the team that delivered a major speedbump to their finals aspirations last season, Newstead bounced back from their surprising defeat to the Maryborough Giants with an emphatic 85-point victory over Maldon.
An eight-goal first quarter set the tone for a dominant afternoon by the Steaders at Newstead Recreation Reserve, headlined by key forward Sam Winnard rectifying his one-goal performance versus the Giants with a seven-goal display on Saturday.
The Steaders’ Winnard-led forward line was delivered a plethora of opportunities right from the opening bounce, as even without the services of Michael Dalrymple, the hosts dominated around the contest in the first quarter.
Led by William Moran, Joel Smith and Ethan Maltby, Newstead took a commanding 49-point lead into quarter time.
After a shell-shocking opening term, the Bombers regrouped effectively at the interval and began to hold their own.
While Aaron Millen continues to emerge as an influential player for Maldon around the contest, Coby Bennett and Matthew Gray anchored a refortified backline that conceded just two majors in the second quarter.
With the Bombers booting two goals of their own, the margin stabilised at eight goals at half time.
Despite Newstead reestablishing their authority to begin the second half, the Bombers ensured the contest remained a congested low-scoring affair, as the Steaders kicked all three of the term’s goals.
After facing prolonged resistance by the visitors, Newstead eventually overpowered their opponents late with five fourth quarter goals to end a bounceback win with a flourish.
Liam and Lachlan O’Brien made their surname a menacing threat to the Bombers on Saturday, both named in Newstead’s best players alongside Moran, who finished with three goals, Smith, Winnard and Maltby.
Bennett, Gray and Millen were listed among Maldon’s standout players alongside Darcy Kelly, Xavior Noy and Tadgh Cananzi.
Noy was also one of the Bombers five goalkickers on Saturday, with player-coach Damian Wust, Noah Thompson, Billy Johns and Bailey Brown also getting their names on the scoresheet.