Sport
15 July, 2025
Broad’s 90 against Maldon powers the Giants into third
The Maryborough Giants have leapfrogged Carisbrook into third on the MCDFNL ladder following their 97-29 win away to Maldon.
An astonishing 90 goals from Lacey Broad guided Maryborough to their seventh consecutive victory, as she finished with the most goals in a single game this season.
After missing the last two games due to injury, defender Julie Anderson returned as one of the Giants’ two ins, with Dani Cain the other addition for her first A grade game of the season.
Ash Egbers and Ella Hocking made way for Anderson and Cain.
Maldon also had a season debut on Saturday with Theresa Buchanan coming into the side, deputising for Ashley McKinnon.
The Giants showed why they were the heavy favourites heading into this match right from the start, pouring on 26 goals in the first quarter, creating a 19-goal advantage after the opening term.
With Anderson back in the side, the adaptable Ruby Saunder moved back into goal attack, playing a pivotal role in Broad scoring 23 goals in the first quarter with her entry passes while adding three of her own.
Maryborough remained aggres-sive in the second quarter, with defensive trio Anderson, Cain and Riahni Egan holding Maldon to six goals in the period as the Giants headed into half time up 51-13.
In a replica of the first quarter, Broad finished with 23 goals in the second term, with teammate Saunder converting two.
Despite being down by 38 goals at half time, the Bombers showed some serious fight coming out of the main break.
The host’s ball movement, particularly from Sophie Bennett and Claire Kelly noticeably picked up in the third quarter, giving their shooters plenty of chances to score 11 goals in the term.
Despite the Bombers improve-ments, the Giants managed to extend their lead to 51 goals at the final break.
It seemed 23 was the magic number for Broad, once again reaching that total in the third quarter from just 24 shots while Saunder scored one.
Even with the result decided by three-quarter time, Maryborough remained focused into the final whistle, heading into their crucial game with reigning premiers Avoca next week after a 68-goal win.
While Broad didn’t finish with 23 goals again, she still managed a dominant 21 goals in the last 15 minutes. Laura McStravick was subbed in alongside Broad in the final quarter and she finished with a goal herself.