Sport
4 August, 2026
Bombers take vengeance on Bulldogs
Maldon gained revenge for its heartbreaking one-point loss to Avoca earlier in the season with a dominant four-quarter perfor-mance to record a convincing 70-point victory at Bill Woodfull Reserve on Saturday.
With a place in the top eight still on the line, the Bombers wasted little time asserting themselves, controlling the contest from the outset and never allowing the Bulldogs to gain any meaningful momentum.
Maldon kicked the opening three goals of the game before Avoca responded with a late major to trail by 13 points at the first break.
While the Bulldogs remained within striking distance, the Bombers’ superior ball movement and ability to win the contested football ensured they remained in control.
The home side gradually increased the pressure in the second quarter, adding another three goals while restricting Avoca to just one major.
Maldon entered the main break leading by 29 points, with its defence standing tall whenever the Bulldogs ventured forward.
The game was effectively decided in a blistering third quarter. The Bombers piled on seven goals to two, dominating clearances and repeatedly driving the ball inside 50.
By three-quarter time the margin had blown out to 61 points, leaving Avoca with an impossible task in the final term.
Maldon continued to control proceedings in the last quarter, adding two more goals to comfor-tably run out 15.14.(104) to 5.4.(34) winners to keep their finals hopes firmly alive.
Thomas McNeill was outstanding for the Bombers, producing another composed performance across half-back and through the midfield.
He was superbly supported by Coby Bennett, Aaron Millen, Callum Buchanan, Billy Johns and Liam Rielley in a polished team display.
Will Golds was the major focal point in attack, finishing with seven goals in a match-winning perfor-mance, while Harrison Tulloch and Bennett also made valuable scoreboard contributions as Maldon’s forward line proved too strong for the Bulldogs to contain.
Despite the heavy defeat, Avoca continued to battle throughout the afternoon. Byron Wynd was named the Bulldogs’ best player, with Alexander Riches, Daniel Howell, Jordan Thomas, Tyson Gray and Brett Monk also working hard against a Maldon side that was simply too polished on the day.