Sport
4 September, 2025
Natte Bealiba too strong for Lexton
Natte Bealiba have got their finals campaign back on track, earning their spot in a blockbuster preliminary final encounter with rivals Avoca after defeating Lexton by 14 goals on Sunday.
WRITTEN BY JONATHAN PECK
After the Tigers took the upper hand early, the Swans went on a late run to end the opening quarter and were able to keep themselves out of reach in a hard-fought contest between two excellent teams.
With the Swans and Tigers’ offences clicking from the opening pass, neither team could find an edge in the first five minutes until the Tigers took the advantage midway through the first quarter.
Determined not to play catch-up like in their qualifying loss to Carisbrook, Natte cascaded late in the term, forcing several turnovers in their defensive goal circle and counter-attacking with authority, allowing them to take a five-goal lead into quarter time.
Ryan started well with a quarter-high 13 goals, assisted by shooting partner Ashlee McClelland’s two goals from two attempts.
Lexton started with the experienced shooting tandem of Leesa Donhardt and Kristy Hadler, with Donhardt draining seven and Hadler netting three.
Similar to the opening 15 minutes, there were sparse opportunities for either team to find an opening in the second quarter.
That allowed Natte to maintain the lead after the first half, up 30-22 at the main break.
With pinpoint entry passes from Ella Tranter and Ebony Raven, Ryan kept the Swans’ offence moving with 14 goals while McClelland scored one.
Following a short cameo in the first quarter, teenager Charlize Kennedy seemed remarkably unfazed by the big occasion, scoring 11 goals. Donhardt played a role in Kennedy’s second-quarter output while also adding one.
After the success of their second-half switches in their elimination final win over Navarre, Lexton tinkered with their lineup throughout the third quarter.
Those changes seemed to work as the game began to open up in the second half, with momentum constantly shifting thanks to numerous moments of brilliance on both defensive ends.
However, the Swans were able to adapt to the Tigers’ constant substitutions, maintaining their eight-goal advantage at the final change.
Evelyn Reid and Abbey Lewis made their presence known in defence after coming on as part of the Tigers alternations, forcing their opponents to make extra passes which Sarah Griffin and Brodey McKay could intervene with.
Ryan was Natte’s only scorer for the third quarter with 15 goals.
As part of their rotations, Donhardt, Hadler and Kennedy shared time in the goal circle, with Donhardt leading with nine goals from 10 attempts, Kennedy sinking four and Hadler nailing both her shots.
Looking to prevent a Lexton fightback before it started, Natte asserted control early in the fourth quarter, building a double-digit lead quickly and never giving their opponents the chance to respond.
Ryan was fantastic during crunch time, making 17 of her 18 shots to finish with 59 goals with an 86 percent conversion rate.
With a comfortable lead midway through the fourth quarter, club stalwart and premiership player Shannae Mills returned to the court, scoring two late goals.
After going a perfect six for six in the final term, Donhardt ended as Lexton’s leading scorer with 23 goals, closely followed by Kennedy’s 22 goals. Hadler chipped in with her limited time, netting six.
Maryborough Giants vs Talbot
The Talbot Hawks have flown into their second consecutive preliminary final, holding their nerve against the Maryborough Giants to book their place in the last four with an enthralling three-goal triumph.
It’s a remarkable achievement for a team that finished with a mere two wins in 2023, hoping to go one step further than last season’s magical finals run when they face Carisbrook on Sunday.
Both teams deserved to advance with their performance last Saturday. However, the Giants were the unfortunate side that had their strong season stopped by Talbot in the semi-final for the second year running.
Neither team could generate a breakthrough early, with both midcourts using lob entry passes to great effect.
It was the Hawks who drew first blood midway through the opening term and threatened to go on a late run with some timely turnovers.
The Giants responded thanks to an intercept from Ruby Saunder, as they trailed by two goals at the quarter-time break.
Talbot shooter Elenoa Costello was a problem for the Giants early, with her clever positioning and movement setting up 14 great chances at the net, cashing in 13.
Talbot player-coach Eleisha Phelps was more than happy to defer to the hot hand of Costello early, adding one.
After playing a crucial role in the Giants’ two-goal victory over Newstead in the B grade semi-final, Abbey Devereaux converted her first three attempts of the A grade final, while star shooter Lacey Broad led with nine makes.
Determined to get ahead in the contest, the Giants scored six of the first nine goals of the second quarter to storm into the lead thanks to some brilliant entry passes from Christie Chapple and Alisha Hovey splitting Talbot’s defence.
Despite losing their advantage, the Hawks maintained their composure and retook the lead with a late run.
An impressive long-range make from Devereaux after the half time siren ensured the margin remained unchanged after the second quarter, with Talbot up 27-25.
Costello and Phelps remained in sparkling form for the Hawks, combining to score all 13 of their attempts on goal during the period.
Broad earned multiple second chances with her excellent rebounding, netting 10 for the quarter while Devereaux added three.
Both teams strived to create some breathing room early in the second half. However, some brilliant shooting ensured neither team could generate that separation.
With Talbot slightly extending their lead to four goals, it was all to play for as the players braced for a tense final quarter.
Whiie Broad and Devereaux combined to score 16 goals for the Giants, Costello remained exceptional, netting 18 goals in the third period to keep the Hawks ahead.
Looking to repeat their semi-final win from last season, Talbot seized the momentum to start the fourth, putting their opponents under serious pressure early.
Even with several uncharacteristic turnovers and some stellar interceptions from Talbot’s Loren Aquilina, the Giants’ defence kept their team’s chances alive as they look to regain their nerve.
Then suddenly, the Giants began to rally, cutting the deficit to one midway through the term and had the chance to tie the game after a held ball call.
However, a superb defensive stand from Jess White, capped with two pivotal rebounds, kept the Hawks in front as their offence refound their mojo.
A late Melissa Scott interception sealed a brilliant result for Talbot, finishing as 55-52 winners.
While the Hawks have routinely finished games this season with Phelps and Shianne Milera as shooters, Costello was playing too well to take off, delivering eight crucial goals to finish with a game-high 46 goals from just 50 attempts.
Broad produced a spirited performance for the Giants with 38 goals, with Devereaux scoring 14 with only one miss for the match.