Sport
24 July, 2026
Carisbrook Lady Redbacks power past Lake Wendouree for second win of 2026
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks reaped the rewards of their outstanding recent improvement with a hard-fought 19-point victory over Lake Wendouree on Sunday.
After leading by just four points at half time, second-half goals from Sherriden Byrne, Emme Johnson and Bridget Epworth gave the Lady Redbacks enough breathing room to clinch their second win of the season.
Following back-to-back defeats to Redan, the Lady Redbacks returned to Carisbrook Recreation Reserve hoping to replicate their outstanding 124-point round three victory over the Lakers.
While young guns Charlotte Cain and Mahli Stone were major outs, Carisbrook welcomed back captain Olivia Butler alongside Epworth, Charlotte Metters, Chelsea Rinaldi, Fern Winnell and Tara Curtis.
After winning the opening clearance, the Lady Redbacks got off to a dream start with Johnson booting the game’s opening goal inside a minute.
Carisbrook continued to pile relentless pressure on the Lake Wendouree defence, routinely keeping the ball trapped inside their half by working the ball out of the stoppage and cementing their defensive structure.
The Lakers did a remarkable job holding back the Lady Redbacks until Byrne burst out of a pack deep inside 50 and bolstered Carisbrook’s lead midway through the opening term with her seventh goal of the season.
Just as Carisbrook’s blistering start threatened to put the game out of reach, Lake Wendouree upped their intensity around the contest, limiting clean possessions for their opponents.
Genevieve Blake rewarded their efforts by punctuating an impressive Lakers counter-attack with a long bomb that cut Carisbrook’s lead to seven points right before quarter time.
While the Lady Redbacks looked more threatening after the interval with Butler, Izzy Barby and Arna Tatchell getting the ball out of congested packs and giving their teammates space to create chances, both teams struggled to generate sustained attacking momentum.
It took eight minutes for the Lakers to open the scoring in the second term with a minor score, which began a spell of domination inside 50 for the visitors that kept the Lady Redbacks scoreless.
However, the defensive efforts of Danae Every and Zeann Cassells ensured Carisbrook stayed four points ahead at half time after limiting the Lakers to three behinds.
After regrouping at the break, it was Carisbrook’s turn to seize control, with Barby, Tatchell, Tamika Loone-Grundy and Molly O’Connor powering them forward to begin the second half.
Determined to make their ascendancy count, the Lady Redbacks booted 14 unanswered points in the third term to boost their margin to three goals at the final change.
Lake Wendouree threatened to mount a late comeback with Blake’s second goal of the game, but Carisbrook held firm to complete an arduous victory.
Barby continued her sparkling form for the Lady Redbacks on Sunday, named in the team’s best players for the third time in four games alongside Johnson, Tatchell, Loone-Grundy, Butler and O’Connor.
With their marking prowess and ability to create separation at stoppages, Johnson and Byrne led Carisbrook with two goals each.
Following their round 15 bye, the Lady Redbacks will finish their season away to premiership hopefuls Darley.
Carisbrook proved a spirited challenge for the Devils in their last meeting back in round seven, with Johnson, Byrne, Stone and Jazmin Wintle-Burton producing a quartet of goals in a 98-point defeat.