Sport
15 May, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Netball Round 6 Preview — Dunolly vs Lexton
Lexton’s perfect opening to 2026 will hit a captivating juncture at Deledio Reserve on Saturday when they face Dunolly.
The Tigers couldn’t have prayed for a better start before their season opener against Maryborough, a contest which began a ground-breaking five-game winning streak that culminated in a gripping two-goal victory over Talbot on Saturday.
Under the relentless Hawks pressure, Rachel Phelan’s experience proved invaluable in the attacking goal circle, providing a reliable scoring outlet while mentoring young gun Charlize Kennedy to remain proactive in tense moments.
Despite being a relatively new defensive pairing, Sarah Griffin and Shanae Hepworth were also momentous, routinely stopping Talbot’s advances with classy interceptions.
With impactful midcourter Ciane Van Dyken also back in the mix, the Tigers look poised to be a key player come September.
By comparison, the Eagles’ future trajectory is somewhat uncertain as they return from their round five bye after having their sensational start ended at the hands of Newstead.
Their upcoming clash with the red-hot Tigers will be a pivotal gauge for Dunolly as they look to convert their promising start into a finals berth. The key ingredient to Dunolly’s early success has been their defence, allowing an average of just 28.25 goals a game in their first four matches.
With Phelan and Kennedy already netting 267 goals this season, the likes of Teagan Hovey, Ashlee Lierich and Ruby Lang will need to maintain their impressive form to stop the Tigers from roaring away.