Sport
28 July, 2026
Talbot take commanding win over Creek
Talbot’s offensive woes looked to be a thing of the past on Saturday, as an outstanding 59-goal performance from Elenoa Costello headlined the Hawks’ authoritative 78-35 victory over Campbells Creek.
After being limited to 44 goals a game during their five-game losing skid earlier in the season, Costello, Loren Aquilina, Charli Kaye and Tina Wardlaw have guided the Hawks to an inverse stretch as key cogs in a retooled attack that’s averaged 63.8 goals during their last five victories.
Following that impressive run of wins, Talbot’s rollercoaster voyage for a Grand Final return looks to be peaking at new heights just at the right time.
The Hawks entered Saturday’s clash with an added dose of confidence with the return of veteran defender Jane Dikini, who missed Talbot’s last two matches. Dikini’s comeback proved timely, coinciding with the unavailability of Maddy Williams.
Meanwhile, Campbells Creek returned from their round 14 bye, calling up Ashleigh Coburn and Kaitlyn Gebert to fill in for shooter Millie King and midcourter McKenna Wynveen.
With Williams out, versatile defender Melissa Scott filled in at goal keeper and immediately flourished, anchoring Talbot’s defence alongside the returning Dikini.
As Scott and Dikini made it incredibly difficult for Claire Jones and Heni Moeke to generate any separation, the Magpies were forced to take some early risks in possession.
When those risks backfired, Portia Hughes and Aquilina were there to capitalise for the hosts, cutting through the midcourt with surgical precision. Their deft passing allowed Costello and Kaye to score 20 first-quarter goals, a shooting spree that gave Talbot a 14-goal lead at the opening break.
Looking to rebound from their disappointing start, Campbells Creek made multiple changes. With her ability to withstand Scott and Dikini’s physical defence, Reagan Fulford was moved into goal shooter while Claire Jones shifted to pair Phoebe Jones in defence.
While the Joneses attempted to contain Costello, Kaye was making that already challenging task increasingly more difficult, flourishing with her increased attacking responsibilities.
While Coburn, Peyton McMillan and Taylah Sartori helped Fulford and Moeke boost Campbells Creek’s scoring production, the Hawks extended their lead in the second quarter after equalling their first term tally.
Holding a 24-goal advantage at half time, Talbot placed more responsibility on their emerging youngsters. Louella Roche came off the bench to play wing attack while Naomi Henderson took the wing defence bib.
After some half time alterations of their own, with Sartori moving into wing attack and Gebert marking Roche at wing defence, the Magpies showed noticeable improvements.
Even as their deficit widened to 33 goals by three-quarter time, Campbells Creek deserve credit for limiting the hosts to 15 goals while maintaining that offensive uptick.
Following a unique switcharoo that saw their defenders and attackers make a straight swap, the Magpies fulfilled their attacking promise during an encouraging fourth quarter.
Claire Jones in particular capitalised on some excellent passes from Sartori and McMillan, finishing with 11 goals from just 13 attempts.
However, Campbells Creek’s strong finish on offence was overshadowed by Talbot’s attacking masterclass, outscoring the Magpies 23-13 in a remarkable fourth term that ended with the Hawks securing a 43-goal win.
In one of her finest performances of her breakout A grade campaign, Kaye scored a season-high 15 goals alongside Costello’s 59 goals. Aquilina replaced Kaye at goal attack in the fourth quarter and went a perfect four for four.
Alongside Claire Jones’ sharp-shooting performance, Moeke top-scored for Campbells Creek with 12 goals while Fulford and Phoebe Jones added nine and three goals respectively.