Sport
4 August, 2026
Avoca extends unbeaten streak to 66 games
Avoca’s quest for a historic four-peat surpassed an improved challenge from Maldon without issue, ending another stunning performance with a 46-goal victory.
It wasn’t as convincing as their 100-25 victory over the Bombers last season or their 83-30 win back in round three, but the Bulldogs built a healthy lead throughout the first half before outscoring Maldon 43-15 in the second half.
Alongside the A grade season debut of Abbi Shepherd, who started at wing defence, talented defender Ella Patten was back in the starting seven after missing Avoca’s victories over Trentham, Natte Bealiba and Newstead.
Even as Avoca’s vaunted defensive duo of Patten and Caitlin Drummond limited their scoring chances, the Bombers did a commendable job of challenging the reigning premiers early.
With their excellent defensive pressure across the court, Maldon restricted the Bulldogs from fully implementing their accustomed aggressive tempo in possession.
Midcourters Rory Baker, Charlotte Harrison and Claire Kelly ensured the Bombers limited early mistakes when in possession, allowing Alannah Furmston and Sophie Zammit to develop a shooting groove.
While Eva Gross and Heidi Brookes did a commendable job defending the goal circle, Avoca’s Maddy Egan and Gina Steel shot the visitors to a 15-8 lead at quarter time.
The Bombers continued to provide resistance, but as they returned from the break determined to extend their lead, the Bulldogs began to overwhelm the hosts with their ball movement.
With Patten and Shepherd constantly pushing up the court to support club legends Stacey Blair and Lucy Howell in attacking passages, Avoca always had options to move the netball down the court to Egan and Steel.
The deadly shooting tandem added 18 goals in the second quarter to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 33-15 by half time, yet that proved to be an appetiser for a dominant third term.
After a competitive start to the second half, Drummond began to take over on the defensive end, producing some outstanding interceptions and routinely pulling down defensive rebounds.
With a noticeable height advantage against her direct opponent, Egan capitalised on Drummond’s interventions by expertly positioning herself in the goal circle, allowing Blair and Howell to find her with pinpoint lob passes.
After a 20-goal third quarter, the Bulldogs entered the final changover leading by 31 goals.
That margin expanded during the final quarter as Avoca’s attack remained in rampant form.
Assisted by a 23-goal fourth quarter by the Bulldogs, Egan extended her lead atop the A grade goal-scoring charts with 55 goals at an outstanding 89 percent shooting percentage, giving her 683 goals on the season. Steel also had a typically reliable performance for the Bulldogs, finishing with 21 goals.
Zammit and Furmston were key to Maldon’s competitiveness for extended periods, finishing with 17 and 12 goals respectively while Louise Clarke added one in the third quarter.