Sport
14 April, 2026
Carisbrook survives Trentham tussle with late rally
A 15-5 fourth-quarter cascade allowed the Carisbrook Red- backs to survive a determined Trentham challenge and open their 2026 account with a 15-goal victory.
With both teams attempting to navigate treacherous conditions, everything was to play for heading into the final quarter as the underdog Saints were within five goals of last season’s preliminary finalists.
Thanks to the shooting of Jordan McClure and the midcourt excellence of Laura Hurse and Katie Bilton, the
Redbacks’offenceacceleratedaway in the deciding quarter.
After being within touching distance of one of the MCDFNL’s perennial contenders for three quarters, Trentham would be disappointed they couldn’t complete the upset.
Regardless, it was a fantastic showing for a team that finished outside the top eight in 2025.
WhiletheSaints’seasonopener saw the return of shooter Charli Copeland and the debut of recruit Amy Vandenham, Macey Holmes also earned a major milestone by being selected for her first A grade match.
Despite the Redbacks having more
success moving the ball in the opening term, the two teams headed into the first interval deadlocked at eight apiece.
Trentham shooter Sharna Ford was instrumental in her team keeping pace with Carisbrook early, thanks to her deadeye accuracy in the first quarter.
While the Redbacks remained unchanged, the Saints shuffled their personnelthroughoutthesecond quarter, with Hayley Bourke moving into goal shooter while Madelyne Brennan, Copeland, Stevie Courtney and Holmes shared time in the midcourt.
With former Maryborough Giants standout Charlotte Cain and Elise
MottramcoolingtheSaints’offence to five goals in the second quarter, the Redbacks established a narrow two-goal lead at half time.
Carisbrook was determined to generate some much-needed breathing room early in the second half, bolstering their defence by bringing on Chloe Egan and moving Cain to wing defence.
With Abbey Nalder beginning to navigate the tough shooting conditions alongside the reliable McClure, the Redbacks began to build a buffer.
However, following some half time alterations, the Saints’ offence refound its consistency, as Copeland and Ford converted some excellent
entry passes from Bourke and Vandenham into crucial goals.
With the Redbacks leading 25-20 at three-quarter time, the Saints still had an avenue to leave round one withastunningupsetvictory.
However, McClure and Nalder slammed that avenue shut with 15 fourth-quarter goals while Caris- brook’s defence ensured Trentham couldn’t keep up.
Player-coachMcClureledtheway with 21 goals from 30 attempts, while Nalder found her rhythm at a pivotal time for the Redbacks, finishing on 19.
Ford starred for the Saints’ attack with 19 goals, assisted by Copeland, scoring four and Bourke adding two.