Sport
10 June, 2025
2025 MCDFNL mid-season breakdown — Football
The MCDFNL is as competitive as ever at the halfway point of the 2025 season, with four teams deadlocked at 28 points at the top of the table and a host of teams still in contention for finals. With the competition on a week hiatus due to the King’s Birthday Weekend, now seems a great time to look back on all the football action after eight rounds.
Avoca
Position: 8th Record: 2-5
With a strong pre-season emphasis on being more competitive after finishing 12th in 2024, Avoca has barked into a very crowded finals conversation as they are currently sitting in the last finals spot.
Following early victories against the Maryborough Giants and Campbells Creek, the Bulldogs have given themselves multiple chances to snatch four points against fellow finals contenders Maldon and Navarre, proving to be a tougher puzzle to solve in 2025.
Ruckman Scott Cawthan, promising youngster Riley Hamilton and Clunes’ recruits Alex Bowd and Alex Riches have been the standouts for Avoca this season, while Zac Lubeek and Mitchell Whelan have been consistent goal scorers, booting 20 and 14 goals respectively.
Avoca has a tough schedule when the MCDFNL resumes this weekend, with Carisbrook, Trentham, Natte Bealiba and Dunolly in their next four fixtures.
Campbells Creek
Position: 13th Record: 0-7
While 2025 seems to be another rebuilding year for Campbells Creek, the Magpies have put together some stellar spells of football this season, especially in the last month.
The Magpies had very competitive starts against the 2024 MCDFNL Grand Final participants Natte Bealiba and Trentham and had more scoring shots in the last quarter against another premiership contender in Carisbrook.
That doesn’t mention their hard-fought contest against Avoca, where they were trailing by just eight points at home at three quarter time before the Bulldogs pulled away.
The additions of Billie Dunne, Lachlan Hyland, Thomas and Mitchell Langley have been phenomenal, instantly becoming some of the more important building blocks for the Magpies this season.
Captain Kyle Gellatly continues to lead by example for Campbells Creek, named among the best players in four of the last five games while James Martinovic has fought hard in the ruck.
Carisbrook
Position: 1st Record: 7-1
Carisbrook is in a strong position to build on their record premiership tally, eyeing MCDFNL title number 19 after holding the top spot after eight rounds.
While many of the top teams in the MCDFNL defeat teams with their high-scoring prowess, the Redbacks trap their opposition by effectively poisoning their offence, allowing on average 37 points a game.
No matter how good your defence is, you still need to score points to win games, and the Redbacks have improved massively in that department, averaging 100 points a game.
While Tim Rinaldi is the key forward, playing some of his best senior football with 33 goals in eight games, the Redbacks have a plethora of players who can chip in with a goal like Thomas Gardam, Angus McKinna, Nicholas Wright and Mitchell McClure.
Carisbrook’s next four fixtures could play a pivotal role in their season, with Avoca at home, Navarre away, Trentham at home and then a trip to Natte Bealiba.
Dunolly
Position: 7th Record: 2-5
After a rocky start to the campaign, Dunolly is in the driver’s seat to repeat their 2024 finals berth and they look to be on the up.
Starting the season 0-3, the Eagles bounced back with two close wins against Newstead and the Maryborough Giants, and even their recent losses have showed some encouraging signs.
Adal Zuk has been spectacular in his second season back at Dunolly, making opponents cautious of the counterattack at all times.
The two Lachlans, Tranter and Watson have also been standouts for the Eagles and Lloyd Needs has been Mr Reliable in front of goal for a Dunolly team that hasn’t recaptured their 2024 scoring form, averaging 21 points a game less so far this season.
With the Eagles forced to play Carisbrook, Trentham and Natte Bealiba again at the end of the season, victories against the likes of Campbells Creek, Maldon and Avoca will be paramount in ensuring the Eagles are in control of their final’s destiny.
Harcourt
Position: 5th Record: 5-2
It’s quite remarkable how two rounds of football can change the entire outlook of a season.
After six rounds, the Lions were arguably the early favourites to avenge their 2024 campaign and return as kings of the MCDFNL jungle.
However, back-to-back losses to Carisbrook and Trentham where they scored six goals in two games sees Harcourt sitting outside the top four.
While it could be very easy for the Lions to panic after two disappointing performances, they would much rather lose these games in May than September, giving themselves plenty of time to recapture their early-season form.
Even with their two losses, the Lions boast the best percentage in the league with the highest-scoring offence and lowest points allowed.
The Lions always have a chance to score, with Baxter Gurd, Jed Rodda, Riely Thiesz and Cameron Anderson all scoring 15 goals or more this season.
The Lions can restamp their authority this weekend when they travel to reigning premiers Natte Bealiba in a preliminary final rematch.
Lexton
Position: 10th Record: 3-5
Heading into round eight on a four-game losing streak by an average margin of over 95 points, Lexton’s season already looked in serious trouble.
However, their victory over Dunolly just before the King’s Birthday Weekend break has galvanised their season, sitting outside the final’s spots on percentage with their bye still to come.
There are still areas of concern for the Tigers at the halfway mark, scoring the third-fewest points in the league, averaging 47 points a game, and their top-four defence from last season has slipped to third worst this season.
While there is still time to rectify those concerns, Lexton will be keen to keep their recently found momentum going with some big matches upcoming.
Even with his team’s rocky start, Thomas McGregor has been electric for the Tigers, named among the best players in five of Lexton’s first six games.
Matthew Smith-Bye and Lachy Rokebrand have been tremendous in 2025, while Jordan Madafferi and Tyler Trickey have brought a much-needed boost to the Tigers’ forward line.
Maldon
Position: 9th Record: 2-5
The Maldon Bombers are one of four teams on 12 points after eight rounds, sitting just outside the final’s spots on percentage.
The Bombers had the chance to create some breathing room from their competitors with a 2-3 record after round six, but couldn’t capitalise against Navarre and Carisbrook.
The main concern surrounding the Bombers during the preseason was how they would replace the goal-scoring of departing key forward Brodie Leonard-Shannon.
While ruckman Bailey Brown and recruit Natnael McLaren have headlined a well-rounded attack that can score the points to retain their 2024 finals spot, it’s been Maldon’s defence that has been their biggest weakness, conceding on average 114 points a game.
In fairness to the Bombers, nearly half of those points came against Talbot and Harcourt, but it’s still something they will want to improve in.
Reigning Berry Powell medallist and head coach Damian Wust continues to be a difference-maker for the Bombers, while the presence of underrated club stalwart Matthew Gray has made Maldon’s defensive situation manageable.
Maryborough Giants
Position: 12th Record: 0-1-6
Having not won a game in their first seven matches, it would be very easy to write the Maryborough Giants off for season 2025.
However, with some strong strides of improvement in May, especially in their loss against Dunolly and their draw to Newstead in their last two fixtures, the six-point gap between themselves and the finals places isn’t insurmountable.
While it will take a whole team effort to bridge that gap, the likes of Kaylab Eggers, Seth Hoskin, Scott Miller and Cody Wright will hope to continue their early season form and lead the charge.
Recruit Matthew Johnson, Brandon Carter and Jacob Rollason have been the dangerous men in the forward 50, combining for 25 goals this season.
With premiership contenders Carisbrook, Trentham and Natte Bealiba in their last three games of the regular season, the Giants will need to pick up some points in their fixtures against Lexton, Campbells Creek, Maldon and Avoca to keep the dreams of their first finals berth alive.
Natte Bealiba
Position: 2nd Record: 6-1
The Swans have been rather faultless in their quest for a repeat in 2025, currently sitting in second.
After their commanding opening-round win against Trentham, the only blemish on Natte Bealiba’s record has been their loss to the Talbot Hawks in one of the games of the year so far.
However, underlying their strong record has been a sense of incomplete performances in some of their victories against the Maryborough Giants and Campbells Creek.
Natte certainly has the tools to be perfectly tuned come August, even with the loss of talented ruckman Austin McKenzie for the season.
Trent Mortlock has stepped up his already exceptional play in the forward line, already kicking 29 goals this season. Elder statesman Stephen Ross continues to age like fine wine for the Swans, while the likes of Aaron Hayes, Nathan Holt and Jayden Templeton continue to excel as part of a well-balanced squad.
With the Swans hosting Harcourt in the game of the round this week, they will be motivated to show what they can do against a quality opponent.
Navarre
Position: 6th Record: 5-3
Navarre find themselves in a rather peculiar position during the mid-season break.
While the Grasshoppers are eight points behind the rampant pace set by the top four, they also have a healthy eight-point cushion on seventh and eighth thanks to wins against Lexton, Maldon and Avoca.
After posting four wins in 2024, sitting in between the contenders and finals hopefuls is a good place to be for the Grasshoppers, who have improved on both sides of the ball.
While MCDFNL 2024 Team of the Year fullback Jayden Fowkes continues to expertly anchor the defence, the return of premiership player Riley Bibby has injected a boost to an attack, which is averaging 15 more points a game this season.
Bibby’s 17 goals in seven games leads the way for the Grasshoppers, with the likes of Fletcher Douglas, Sam Rickard and Sam Walker also being threats in front of goal.
The Grasshoppers’ strong start will certainly be tested after their round nine bye, with Carisbrook, Trentham, Natte Bealiba and Dunolly in their next four matches.
Newstead
Position: 11th Record: 1-1-5
One glance at their 1-1-5 record can indicate that 2025 has so far been a disappointing season for Newstead.
However, their performances against a difficult opening schedule indicate the Steaders can run the table come August like they did in 2024.
While their opening-round win against Navarre and highly competitive losses versus Carisbrook, Trentham and Talbot are positive signs, their inability to close out tight games versus Dunolly and the Maryborough Giants has been a worrying trend.
With tight contests expected against Lexton and Maldon as well as rematches against Navarre and Dunolly still awaiting, the Steaders will be keen to develop a clutch gene rather quickly.
After being injured for all of 2024, the returns of Michael Dalrymple and Joel Smith have added extra quality to the side, while the likes of Bradley Richardson, Angus Mayes and Nicholas Woodman being consistent contributors this season.
Castlemaine recruit Ben Moran leads the Steaders in goalkicking with nine goals, as they look to improve their offence in the second half of 2025, scoring the second least points so far this season.
Talbot
Position: 4th Record: 7-1
The Talbot Hawks generated a lot of hype over the offseason, adding some talented players which on paper would finally put them over the hump for a finals berth.
Sometimes offseason hype doesn’t generate on-field results, but the Hawks have exceeded expectations, defeating Carisbrook, Natte Bealiba and Dunolly to stake their claim as a premiership contender in 2025.
Even with star recruit Dean Limbach out for the majority of the season so far, fellow additions Michael Sikora, Charles Aitken, Jarrod Stephens and Zac Cicchini have excelled in brown and gold.
Stephens and Cicchini in particular have been superb for the Hawks, with the pair combining to kick 53 goals this season and leading the third-best scoring team in the competition.
The Hawks have a relatively soft schedule to end their season but still have to play fellow contenders Harcourt and Natte Bealiba which could play pivotal roles in the final standings of the top four.
Trentham
Position: 3rd Record: 7-1
Following their 65-point loss to Natte Bealiba to open their 2025 campaign, some early question marks surrounded Trentham if they could do one better than their runner-up finish in 2024.
But those questions are well and truly in the rear-view mirror after seven consecutive victories, including wins against Dunolly, Talbot and Harcourt, with their vaunted forward line doing most of the answering.
While the double J goal machine of James Regan and Jake Keogh causes nightmares for opposing defenders, contributions from Thomas Fuller, Joel Dovaston and Ryan Thiesz make the Saints so dangerous, averaging 110 points a game.
It isn’t just their attack that continues to excel, as Taylor Ford and Sam Kelly have been exceptional down in defence.
Trentham has some big games at the pointy end of the season, with Carisbrook in round 12, Natte Bealiba in round 14 and Dunolly in round 15 all away from home.