Sport
9 June, 2026
2026 MCDFNL football mid-season recap
The MCDFNL looks to be in store for another gripping football finals series, as ladder-leaders Harcourt and Carisbrook are being chased by five sides all separated by just four points.
As clubs gear up for the second half of the home and away season, lets recap how every team has fared in 2026 so far.
Avoca
Position: 10th Record: 2-6
In the midst of a turbulent start to 2026 at the Bulldogs kennel, Avoca has showcased flashes of potential which could make them a captivating side during the season’s second half.
While veterans like Scott Cawthan, Byron Wynd, Alex Riches, Bryce and Daniel Howell continue to be standouts, a wave of promising youngsters have developed from energetic prospects to key contributors.
The likes of Matthew Wardlaw, Campbell Blair and Darcy Coghlan haven’t just competed at the senior level but thrived, making the club’s footballing future very bright.
However, the Bulldogs’ spells of promise have been leashed by inconsistency. Stellar victories over Maldon and Dunolly have been besmirched by heavy defeats to Harcourt, Talbot and Lexton, as well as that day to forget versus Campbells Creek.
Avoca will need to turn those doses of brilliance into sustained performances if they are to claw back their eight-point deficit to the top eight.
Campbells Creek
Position: 13th Record: 1-6
Regardless of how the rest of the season unfolds, 2026 will go down as a historic season for Campbells Creek.
Led by Watsonia recruits James Haber, Jack Larkin and Jesse Presser, as well as club mainstays James Martinovic, Mitchell and Dylan Stevens, the Magpies seemed on the precipice of snapping their historic losing streak early in the season.
Then, the moment the Magpies faithful had been craving finally arrived on Saturday, May 9, holding off a rampaging Bulldogs in the fourth quarter to record their first victory since 2022.
Despite sipping their first taste of victory in 1387 days, the Magpies still have plenty of work left to boost their competitiveness, headlined by their 235-point drubbing at the hands of Carisbrook.
Following three straight winless seasons, Campbells Creek has taken incredible strides in 2026, but they will be determined to make their landmark victory count with a strong end to the season.
Carisbrook
Position: 2nd Record: 7-1
With a scintillating start that includes victories over fellow league heavyweights Trentham and Talbot, the Redbacks look to be in contention to reach their fourth Grand Final in five seasons.
Their 7-1 record is a replica of their mark at this point during last season’s highly dramatic yet unsuccessful bid for a 19th MCDFNL premiership. While their 2026 iteration possesses many similarities to last year’s squad, some noticeable refinements have made this team extra dangerous.
With Elliot Brandon-Jones and James Allan joining an already highly-touted back six, the Redbacks remain the competition’s best defensive team, allowing more than 42 points on just two occasions.
Meanwhile, Tim Rinaldi has led the league’s highest-scoring attack with a remarkable 54 goals, currently on pace to break the 100-goal barrier.
While currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, Harry Butler has been instrumental to Carisbrook’s deadly forward line, while the likes of Thomas Gardam, Todd Bryant and Jackson Bowen are gearing up for another finals push.
Dunolly
Position: 11th Record: 1-6
Despite showing moments of promise throughout the year, the Eagles have been unable to take flight in 2026.
Outside of their round three victory against Campbells Creek, Dunolly has lost their other six matches by an average margin of 67.8 points a game, finding themselves in 11th and eight points away from the finals spots.
The Eagles had been on the upswing heading into the King’s Birthday long weekend, yet couldn’t convert their strong passages against Lexton, Avoca and Navarre into a four-quarter performance.
The play of Jay McDonald, Mitchell Goodwin, Joel Fisher and recruit Bailey Morton has been a bright spot, keeping Dunolly in matches for extended periods.
However, for the Eagles to make a torrid run down the stretch and make their third consecutive finals appearance, they will need their depth to step up and support their key players.
Harcourt
Position: 1st Record: 8-0
As the only team still undefeated in the MCDFNL, Harcourt couldn’t have asked for a better start to 2026.
Many of the star Lions from their back-to-back premierships have remained to wreak havoc on the competition.
With captain Thomas Walters, Cameron Anderson, Jack Threlfall and Braydon Vaz running the show in the midfield, Billy Quirk, Jordan Gartside and Mark Noonan patrolling the back six and Jed Rodda and Baxter Gurd piling on the goals, it’s easy to see why Harcourt are the early premiership favourites.
That list doesn’t even include emerging cubs such as brothers Mitchell and Taylar McKnight, who have given the squad valuable flexibility.
However, Harcourt is well aware that early hype doesn’t always correlate to premiership success after a sudden three-game losing skid derailed last year’s 5-0 start.
With Newstead, the Maryborough Giants and Maldon in their next three fixtures, Harcourt will be motivated to hit the ground running after the break.
Lexton
Position: 8th Record: 3-4
Following their dreary four-win campaign last year, Lexton premiered a new era with the appointment of former Creswick coach Paul Borchers.
While early screenings received mixed reviews, the foundations are apparent for the Tigers to crash the postseason party.
When the Tigers are roaring, they are truly a dangerous side, as showcased in their back-to-back victories over Dunolly and Avoca before the break.
Thomas Cullinan has been magnificent in his return to Tigerland, leading what’s been a brilliant recruiting class comprising of Lexton’s leading goalkicker Jaxon Thomas and standout defender Eric Wilkinson.
The trio’s arrival has boosted an already established core led by Jaykeb Lench, Aiden Broughton and Thomas McGregor.
Alongside their rematches with Maryborough and Maldon, Lexton has a critical round 12 date with Natte Bealiba at home, as their season looks to once again be decided by fine margins.
Maldon
Position: 12th Record: 2-6
A season that began with a faultless take-off has now suffered from major turbulence as the Bombers’ sensational start to 2026 has dramatically stalled.
Starting with a disheartening one-point defeat to Avoca, Maldon has lost its last six matches, which included three consecutive 100-point demolitions.
It’s intriguing to think what if that aforementioned encounter with the Bulldogs had gone Maldon’s way, but as they now sit as one of five teams attempting to close on the finals spots on eight points, the Bombers know they need results quickly to turn their season around.
A silver lining is that this team thrived in an almost identical position last season, winning key contests against Newstead, Maryborough and Lexton to will themselves back into the finals places after a troubling stretch.
Thanks to their relatively favourable schedule, the Bombers have the opportunity to run the table again, but they will need to improve on the defensive end after allowing at least 100 points in their last five games.
Maryborough Giants
Position: 7th Record: 4-3
Hedges Oval has been the sight of a Giant rollercoaster for Maryborough so far this season, but for every dip, the Giants have delivered some memorable high points.
While inconsistency remains a hurdle for this emerging side, 2026 is poised to be Maryborough’s most successful in their young history, already matching their highest win total set back in their inaugural 2024 campaign and a favourite to make their first finals appearance.
While Cody Wright, Scott Miller, Brandon Carter and Sam Spink have built upon their stellar individual campaigns in 2025, Maryborough’s exciting crop of youngsters has been the catalyst for the club’s ascension.
Mitch Stork has quickly blossomed into an influential player, while the likes of Riley Govan, Atticus Cullinan and Keegan Doherty are beginning to enjoy the fruits of their fast-tracked start to the senior level.
As they are set for a compelling four-game run consisting of Maldon, Harcourt, Campbells Creek and Talbot, the Giants’ quest for a historic finals berth is far from complete.
Natte Bealiba
Position: 9th Record: 1-6
Eight rounds into the 2026 MCDFNL season, perennial contenders Natte Bealiba find themselves truly in an unprecedented position.
The Swans’ 1-6 record places them eight points adrift of the top eight, currently in serious jeopardy of missing their first MCDFNL finals series since joining the competition back in 2011.
For a club that’s never lost more than six games during a home and away season, what’s been particularly concerning has been the noticeable gap between the teams the Swans are typically competing against for premierships.
Despite their historic start for all the wrong reasons, the Swans remain optimistic they can preserve their stellar finals streak, and with players like Ryan Semmel, Kyen Burrill-Grinton, Stephen Ross, Trent Mortlock and Jai Howell, you can understand why.
For that to happen, they need to regain their typically excellent ball movement and disposal efficiency to revive an attack that currently ranks second last in points scored.
Navarre
Position: 6th Record: 5-3
Fresh off an exhilarating finals run in 2025, Navarre entered this season with expectations of cementing themselves inside a dense pack of premiership hopefuls.
Despite being unable to obtain that elusive statement victory over another contender, the Grasshoppers have showcased their credentials.
After joining Navarre for last season’s finals push, former VFL player Angus Bade has been in stellar form, marshalling a backline that’s largely been without 2025 MCDFNL Team of the Year full back Jayden Fowkes.
Fellow 2025 recruit Jack Mentha continues to provide a noticeable offensive punch alongside reliable goal-kickers Sam Rickard and Riley Bibby, who’s well on pace to set a new career season-high with 25 goals.
Former Bundoora player Harry Schroder, junior product Oliver Notting and rapidly improving ruckman John Jok have also impressed this season as the Grasshoppers look to once again become the benchmark for the MCDFNL.
Newstead
Position: 4th Record: 5-2
After spending years on the finals fringes, Newstead has smashed through their proverbial glass ceiling, currently rubbing shoulders with the league’s premiership favourites on the ladder.
Despite their memorable away victory against Navarre, many remained sceptical of the Steaders’ credentials, amplified by a 95-point Anzac Day demolition against Trentham.
Those pessimisms did hold some merit, as Newstead saw a round one win against the Grasshoppers the year prior turn into disappointment after they missed out on finals. However, the Steaders have quietened thoughts of doubt with exhilarating showings against Dunolly, Natte Bealiba and Maldon.
After finishing 11th in points scored last year, Newstead needed an injection into their forward line. Their prayers have been answered by former Trentham goal-scorer Sam Winnard, who’s reintroduced himself to the MCDFNL with 29 goals.
Will Moran, Cordie McKendry, Liam and Lachlan O’Brien have also proven to be excellent additions, quickly becoming key contributors alongside Joel Smith, who’s having a sensational season, Ethan Maltby, Michael Dalrymple and Nicholas Woodman.
Talbot
Position: 5th Record: 4-3
It may have started on rocky terrain, but Talbot’s quest for premiership glory is beginning to gain traction following an encouraging May.
After entering 2026 with heavy expectations following another highly touted recruiting class, the Hawks showed major warning signs in round three, allowing a whopping 22 goals in a convincing 61-point home defeat to Carisbrook.
With their premiership credentials under serious scrutiny, Talbot has emphatically responded, spinning a humbling loss into a major turning point.
Their aforementioned defensive woes look to be a thing of the past, allowing on average just 30.5 points in their last four matches. That emphasis on defensive structure hasn’t come at the expense of their offensive firepower.
The mid-season arrival of former back-to-back VFL leading goal-kicker Dean Galea has added another destructive weapon to a forward line oozing with talent like Jarrod Stephens, Ethan Brock and Zac Cicchini.
Trentham
Position: 3rd Record: 5-2
Despite being a highly respectable third on the ladder with an impressive 228.95 percentage, there’s an underlying feeling that the reigning premiers have the potential to achieve another gear.
There were some concerns of a premiership hangover after starting their title defence with a seven-goal loss to Carisbrook, but the Saints have cured that headache with dominant displays against Newstead, Maldon and Campbells Creek.
Two-time Berry Powell medallist Joel Cowan has been on a rampage in 2026, constantly showcasing his mercurial talent in a loaded midfield possessing Cody Young, Jye Adamson and Joel Dovaston.
Another player who’s begun 2026 on fire is Jake Keogh, who’s scored four or more goals in five of Trentham’s first seven games, including a bag of eight against Maldon and an astonishing 13 majors against Campbells Creek.
The major blemish on Trentham’s season so far has been their performances against rival contenders. They will look to buck that trend this weekend away to Talbot before meeting Navarre and Carisbrook in July.