Sport
10 April, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Netball Round 1 Preview — Natte Bealiba vs Navarre
After both teams had promising 2025 seasons end disappointingly, Navarre and Natte Bealiba will hope to begin their new campaign with a statement victory over a fellow finals hopeful.
Fresh off winning four games the previous season, the Grasshoppers became A grade’s surprise package in 2025, returning to finals netball with victories over established contenders like Lexton and Carisbrook.
However, beyond the surface of their shiny resurgence, there’s an underlying feeling of what could’ve been.
Thanks to their aforementioned win against the Redbacks, Navarre found themselves inside the top four before a torrid stretch of five defeats in six matches sunk them to an elimination final defeat to the vengeful Tigers.
The arrivals of Rapanyup sharpshooter Zanaiya Bergen and former North Central Netball Association league best and fairest Aliza Lockhart will give the Grasshoppers an offensive boost alongside the midcourt talent of Sidney Dyer and club best and fairest Amber Perry.
While their finals exit was a sign of progress for the Grasshoppers to build upon, Natte Bealiba’s preliminary final elimination to rivals Avoca was a stinging feeling the Swans faithful have known all too well since their 2022 premiership.
Some may hypothesise if their fortune would’ve changed if the reliable Shannae Mills didn’t suffer an untimely arm injury just before the finals, but the Swans aren’t keen to dwell on the past, restocking for another title challenge led by new coach Brendon Tranter.
After scoring a jaw-dropping 1214 goals last season, an average of 63.8 goals per game, Emma Ryan will attempt to replicate a historic campaign that won her The Maryborough Advertiser’s Player of the Year.
On the other side of the court, Naomi Medlyn is set to return after an Achilles injury during the 2024 finals ruled her out for the entire 2025 season. The former Nalder Tracey Trophy winner will be a welcome addition to a defence that saw Ellie Martin establish herself as a difference-maker in Medlyn’s absence.