Sport
17 June, 2025
Bulldogs end Redbacks perfect start to 2025
Avoca have reasserted they are still the team to beat in the MCDFNL, ending Carisbrook’s unbeaten start to 2025 thanks to a powerful second half in a 62-40 victory.
There was palpable excitement at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve ahead of this top-of-the-table encounter, with both teams entering the match undefeated after the first eight rounds of the season.
While Avoca made just one addition, welcoming back key defender Keisha Tonzing, Carisbrook made numerous changes, as Chloe Egan, Andrea Schafer and Katie Bilton came into the side, while midcourt superstar Laura Hurse was unavailable for this crucial fixture.
Both teams played with a measured tempo in the opening term, looking to limit mistakes their opponents could capitalise on.
Avoca held the narrowest of margins after a rather faultless opening 15 minutes for both sides, leading 14-13 at the opening break.
The ever-reliable Maddy Egan and Abbey Nalder top-scored for the Bulldogs and Redbacks respectively, scoring 13 and seven each with Nalder’s teammate Jordan McClure going a perfect six-for-six in the opening term and Avoca’s Gina Beavis converting her only shot.
With both teams looking to find an edge in the second quarter, Avoca’s defence, headlined by Tonzing, Faith McKenzie and Caitlin Drummond applied serious pressure on Carisbrook.
The trio intercepted numerous attacking entries, turning multiple Redbacks centre passes into Avoca goals and allowing the Bulldogs to build an eight-goal advantage at half time.
Egan and Beavis exacerbated that pressure with their shooting prowess, combing for 18 goals from 22 attempts.
Nalder and McClure did their best to keep pace for the Redbacks, with Nalder scoring six and McClure netting all five of her attempts.
Looking to claw back the deficit, the Redbacks brought on some fresh faces in the midcourt, with Millie Cassidy replacing Paige McLean at wing attack and Bilton and Ella Patten switching their centre and wing defence roles.
Despite the changes, the Bulldogs’ bite remained vicious, controlling the third quarter to increase their lead to 13 goals at three-quarter time.
Egan again top-scored for Avoca with 12 goals, while Beavis chipped in with two of her own.
While Nalder led the way with six goals in the third period, McClure continued her perfect shooting form, converting all three of her attempts.
With Carisbrook needing a miraculous final quarter to keep their unbeaten season alive, in-form B grade attacker Schafer was brought into goal shooter.
The comeback wasn’t forthcoming for the Redbacks, as Egan’s 13 goals from 13 attempts sealed a vital four points for Avoca, as she finished with 51 goals for the game. Beavis also scored three in the final quarter.
McClure couldn’t do much more in the goal circle for Carisbrook, scoring all 16 of her attempts for the game against the vaunted Bulldogs’ defence.
Nalder added three in the final period and Schafer scored two.
