Sport
14 July, 2026
Trentham bests Navarre in low-scoring epic
The Trentham Saints marched towards a strenuous 33-point victory over Navarre, main-taining their spot inside an incredibly tight top four.
While the reigning premiers are often synonymous with their dominating offensive firepower, it was Alister Ferrier, Taylor Ford and the Saints backline who were instrumental in the hosts’ triumphant performance, restricting an equally talented Grasshoppers forward line to four goals all match.
Trentham stalwart Jake Keogh matched Navarre’s tally with four brilliant goals to ensure the Saints repeated last season’s hard-fought preliminary final victory over the Grasshoppers.
Despite the tricky conditions at Trentham Reserve, the first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams impressing around the contest.
While Joel Cowan, Joel Dovaston and Jacob Greenwood were powering the Saints forward with regular clearances, Oliver Notting, Sam Walker and Nick Birthisel ensured Navarre also had early opportunities inside 50.
As the dust settled on an entertaining opening term, the Grasshoppers led by a point after both teams booted two early goals.
With the game still in the balance, Trentham threatened to steam away in the second quarter, expertly trapping the football in their forward half for extended periods.
After making his long-awaited return against Carisbrook the week prior, multiple-time MCDFNL Team of the Year full-back Jayden Fowkes limited the damage of the Saints ascendancy alongside Shannon Treloar and Luke Hendy, who were also playing key roles in Navarre’s back six.
Despite Trentham having six unanswered scoring shots in the second quarter, Navarre’s relentless defensive surveillance ensured the Saints’ half time lead was limited to 15 points.
As conditions only worsened during the interval, scoring became a premium commodity in the third quarter.
That played perfectly into Trentham’s hands, who kicked the only goal of the third term to enter the final change up by 20 points.
The Grasshoppers attempted to mount a spirited comeback with two late goals, but a four-goal final quarter allowed the defending champions to claim a valuable four points.
Despite just joining the Saints earlier this month, former Romsey player Matthew Milburn has already asserted himself as a valuable contributor, named in Trentham’s best players alongside Cowan, Ferrier, Dovaston, Ryder Henchie, and Keogh.
Navarre named Birthisel, Hendy, Notting, Fowkes, Walker and Will Moloney as their best players, with Notting also among the goal-kickers alongside Harry Bigmore, Mitch Birthisel and captain Riley Bibby.