Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League kicked off its 2025 season with the first of matches on Saturday.
Harcourt played host to Lexton at the den and were welcomed onto the ground by a guard of honour by the club’s Seconds.
The Lions took a little while to warm up and get their sights in kicking 2.9 to the Tigers 2.2 in the first term but still held a seven-point led at quarter-time.
Harcourt’s midfield and forwards settled into their groove in the second term slamming on another six goals, while the defence stood tall holding the Tigers to just one 1.4.
At half-time the margin was 37 points in the Lions favour.
Harcourt continued their momentum in the third kicking another five goals and keeping Lexton to just three points.
The difference had blown out to 69 points at three-quarter-time.
The Lions put the game beyond doubt in their last stanza playing their best footy of the day and smashing on another seven goals to the Tigers 1.1 running out winners by 108 points and indicate they will once again be finals contenders.
Best for the Lions were captains Thomas Walters 3 goals and Cameron Anderson 2, Jack Threlfall and Geoffrey Jolly. Baxter Gurd and Kristian Bruce were also in top form kicking 3 goals apiece.
In the match of the round, Trentham played host to 2025 reigning premiers Natte Bealiba in the highly anticipated grand final rematch with the Saints keen to turn the tables on the Swans.
However, Trentham’s plans were quickly thwarted by a slick Swans squad as they wasted no time bagging six goals and leaving Trentham shell-shocked with just two points on the board at quarter-time.
To their credit, the Saints shook out the cobwebs in the second quarter kicking 4.3 to try and bridge the gap, but Natte had all the answers adding another six majors to their tally to hold a 49-point buffer at half-time.
The third term was a real scrap with both sides trying to gain the ascendancy. Trentham eeked out another 1.1 and managed to hold the Swans to 2.1. However, the visitors still held a 55-point lead at the final change.
The Saints continued to fight back in the final term adding another three goals. But Natte were simply too good kicking another five to win by a convincing 65 points.
James Regan was among the Saints’ best with four goals and Sam Kelly and Thomas Fuller were also among their better players.
Newstead welcomed Navarre on Saturday. This turned out to be a low-scoring affair with both sides battling to get goals on the board and the upper hand. Both teams kicked two goals apiece in the opening term with the Grasshoppers leading by just two points at the change.
The Steaders squeezed another major through in the second term to lead by eight points at the long break.
The home side continued to hold sway in the third term kicking another two goals and keeping Navarre to just a point to extend their advantage to 21 points at the break.
The Grasshoppers kicked another much-needed goal in the final term, but Newstead also found another to eventually win by 22 points.
Best for the Roos were Joel Smith and Ben Moran with 2 goals each, Michael Dalrymple and Bailey McMurtrie.
In other matches, Dunolly lost to a determined Carisbrook side by 58 points and Avoca had a 53-point victory over the Maryborough Giants.
Campbells Creek had a week’s rest due to the bye and Maldon will play their round one clash when they host Talbot in their traditional Good Friday match on April 18.
Netball
Meanwhile on the netball court, Lexton turned the tables defeating the Harcourt A Grade netballers 45 to 29. Best on court for the Lions was Jordan Bagley with 17 goals.
Avoca’s A Grade netball side continued their 31-game winning streak against a determined Maryborough Giants outfit winning 54-42.
Trentham 34 lost their bout against Natte Bealiba 66. Best for the Saints was Kasey Button with 20 goals.
Newstead 45 had a narrow loss to Navarre 48 in a top clash. Best on for the Steaders were shooters Brianna Jury 22 and Tayla Gale 21.
Dunolly 28 lost to a strong Carisbrook 69. Creek had the bye and Maldon and Talbot will clash on Good Friday.
This weekend
In this weekend’s Round 2 matches, Campbells Creek hosts Harcourt, Trentham welcomes Dunolly, Lexton faces Maldon, Carisbrook takes on Newstead, Talbot welcomes Avoca and Navarre versus Maryborough Giants. Natte Bealiba has the bye.
