Sport
10 April, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Football Round 1 Preview — Trentham v Carisbrook
The MCDFNL’s customary round one Grand Final rematch looks to be an early blockbuster as Trentham takes on Carisbrook.
Identically to last season, the Saints will host the replay of last season’s finale. Unlike 2025, they will do so while unveiling their first premiership since 1994.
After starting their season with a convincing loss at the hands of Natte Bealiba, Trentham went undefeated the rest of the way, culminating in a thrilling drought-breaking finals run.
Whether it was divine intervention or 31-year prayers finally being answered, the Saints survived a kick after the siren against Harcourt and a nail-biting win versus Navarre before a third-quarter surge dewebbed the Redbacks on that final day in September.
With the dawn of a new season, the Saints are salivating for another sip out of the premiership cup and with a core consisting of 2025 MCDFNL Team of the Year members James Regan and Zac Gervasoni, Alister Ferrier, Joel Dovaston, Taylor Ford and Jake Keogh, it’s hard to look past them as a title favourite.
While the Saints will enter round one with fond memories, Carisbrook will be eyeing revenge on the team that denied another outstanding season of premiership reclamation.
What particularly stings from their 2025 heartbreak is that the Redbacks had dominating passages in that game that they couldn’t convert on the scoreboard, booting 5.13 in the decider.
Despite an exceptional record of making four of the last five Grand Finals, Brandon Weatherson’s side isn’t dwelling on the past, determined to challenge come September.
The Redbacks had three players join Regan and Gervasoni in the aforementioned Team of the Year, with star ruckman Jackson Bowen, breakout forward Tim Rinaldi and former premiership player Thomas Gardam worthy inclusions.