Sport
19 May, 2026
Avoca victorious in 2025 A grade Grand Final rematch against Talbot by 29 goals
Avoca delivered a dominant sequel to their 2025 Grand Final blockbuster on Saturday, vanquishing Talbot with an authoritative 29-goal victory.
Outside of a wholehearted fourth quarter from the Hawks, the reigning premiers were in complete control of the much-anticipated replay, turning an early lead into a healthy margin by half time.
Despite being without the two defenders who were so influential in their premiership-clinching win last season, Kodie Greenwood and Ella Patten were brilliant in their guarding of the Eleisha Phelps less Talbot offence, playing a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ victory.
As for the Hawks, they now hold an unflattering three-game losing streak, hoping to rebound in another high-stakes encounter with fellow contenders Navarre this weekend.
With Phelps remaining unable to play, Jess White maintained the starting goal attack role alongside Elenoa Costello in an A grade squad that called up Louella Roche for her A grade debut.
Only one change was made to the Bulldogs’ starting lineup following their dismantling of Campbells Creek, with Bridie Kennedy returning at wing defence.
Patten set the tone immediately for Avoca, intercepting the second pass of the game from a Talbot centre pass.
The Bulldogs showed no remorse in capitalising on some early Talbot miscues, quickly generating a four-goal buffer.
Led by standout starts from Melissa Scott and Maddy Williams, the Hawks recovered to their typically strong standard, but Avoca’s early damage placed the hosts in an eight-goal hole by quarter time.
Despite playing a full B grade match just moments before, Greenwood was doing a tremendous job marking Talbot’s star shooter Costello, deflecting multiple entry passes and slowing Talbot’s attacking tempo.
With Greenwood and Patten providing relentless pressure on defence, Avoca’s attack, which was being relatively restrained by the Hawks, was afforded the luxury of waiting for the perfect opportunity to find an opening.
By half time, Avoca had nearly doubled up the hosts, comfortably leading 31-16 at the interval.
Heading into the second half with nothing to lose, the Hawks rolled the dice. Captain Loren Aquilina moved into goal attack for the first time since Talbot’s Good Friday clash with Maldon last season, allowing White to move back to goal keeper.
Rising star Charli Kaye filled in for Aquilina at centre while Roche also came off the bench to provide an x-factor for the Hawks.
Despite Talbot’s shakeup, the Bulldogs continued to chomp away in the second half, with Stacey Blair and Lucy Howell showcasing their class in the midcourt.
That allowed the elite shooting tandem of Maddy Egan and Gina Steel to deliver a decisive 22 goals in the third term as the margin expanded to 27 goals by three-quarter time.
Credit to the Hawks, they displayed their class in the fourth quarter, with Aquilina beginning to adapt to her shooting role and Kaye showing promise as Talbot’s offence began to break away from the shackles of Greenwood and Patten.
However, the final result had already been decided, as the final whistle concluded Avoca’s statement victory.
Egan continues to be a nightmare for any defender, finishing with 47 goals alongside Steel’s 23.
Costello was a bright spot for Talbot with a team-high 25 goals, while Aquilina showcased her versatility with 11 goals from just 13 attempts in the second half.
White and newcomer Roche combined to add five goals for the hosts.