Sport
8 May, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Netball Round 5 Preview — Avoca vs Campbells Creek
Currently boasting a historic 56-game unbeaten streak, the Bulldogs will be heavily favoured to extend that run to 57 when they welcome Campbells Creek to Avoca Public Reserve.
Despite being without reigning Nalder Tracey Trophy winner Faith McKenzie, Avoca has remained as dominant as ever in their pursuit of a four-peat, mowing through Newstead, Maryborough, Maldon and Harcourt.
McKenzie’s departure has opened the door for several B grade standouts to support a midcourt led by Stacey Blair and Lucy Howell, with Bridie Kennedy doing a solid job in that role in the Bulldogs’ recent 88-34 win over Harcourt last weekend.
While their towering defence has a new look with the arrival of Ella Patten, Avoca’s attacking personnel has been unchanged, with player-coach Maddy Egan and 2025 Grand Final Best on Court Gina Steel arguably the league’s premier shooting tandem.
Campbells Creek will be the clear underdog against the Avoca juggernaut. However, as they showed against Lexton, they can take a lot from competing against the league’s elite.
Trailing 37-8 at half time, a line-up reshuffle was the catalyst for a strong second-half performance from the Magpies.
Heni Moeke was a key reason for Campbells Creek’s offensive revitalisation at goal attack, providing some excellent entry passes to shooting partner Reagan Fulford while adding some extra punch by scoring nine of her 10 shooting attempts.
Phoebe Jones was another bright spot last weekend, providing a major impact on defence that she’ll hope to replicate tomorrow marking Egan and Steel.