Sport
24 June, 2025
Avoca keeps streak alive by defeating Trentham Saints
The Avoca Bulldogs grounded the high-flying Trentham Saints to 12 goals in the second half, continuing their excellent unbeaten streak with a 63-33 victory.
While the Bulldogs went into this contest relatively unchanged minus the omission of Ellie Meagher, the Saints welcomed in-form shooter Kasey Button back into the fold alongside Sophie Elderfield while Hayley Bourke was unavailable.
Despite Avoca being the heavy favourites heading into this match, Trentham held their own against the reigning premiers in the opening 15 minutes, with both teams tied at 12-12 at quarter time.
Button kept pace with 2024 leading goal-scorer Maddy Egan in the first quarter, with Button scoring eight and the Bulldogs superstar Egan netting nine.
Egan’s teammate Gina Beavis added three in the opening term, while Button’s shooting partner Sharna Ford netted four.
After the Saints’ impressive first quarter, the Bulldogs began to impose their dominance in the second quarter, pouncing on any little mistake the visitors made with ruthless precision.
Even after another strong performance in the second term, the Saints found themselves nine goals behind at half time.
Egan and Beavis made no mistake in the goal circle, scoring all 18 of their shots in the second term, with Egan converting 13 and Beavis making five.
Button’s eight goals from nine attempts in the second term ensured the Saints’ deficit remained at single digits, as Ford assisted Button with her passing while adding one goal.
Looking to generate an offensive spark to start the second half, Elderfield was subbed into goal shooter while Ford was moved into goal attack.
Despite the change, Avoca’s Keisha Tonzing and Caitlin Drummond made sure that spark was put out before it ignited, expertly defending the goal circle with the help of Kodie Smith.
Tonzing and Drummond allowed just three goals from Elderfield and two from Button in the third quarter, empowering the Bulldogs to build a comfortable 18-goal lead at three-quarter time.
While Jessica Walker did well to limit the supply to Egan, who scored 10, Beavis continued to be a reliable safety valve, scoring four goals from five attempts.
With momentum well and truly in their hands, Avoca rolled away with a 17-7 fourth quarter to cap off the victory on their home court.
Egan saved her best quarter for last against Trentham, scoring 17 goals from 18 attempts to finish with 49 goals with a superb 94 percent shooting percentage. Beavis also scored two in the final quarter.
Six goals from Button in the last 15 minutes pushed her final tally to 24 goals from 28 attempts, while Ford netted one after being moved back into the goal circle.