Sport
29 July, 2025
Defence leads Redbacks past in-form Steaders
Carisbrook now has its eyes set on an intriguing clash with the Maryborough Giants after an imposing defensive performance against Newstead, allowing only 29 goals in their 31-goal triumph.
It wasn’t a pleasant day for netball at Newstead Recreation Reserve, with Saturday’s rain adding an interesting twist to this interesting battle between two teams in the top eight.
While the Redbacks were without regular midcourter Millie Cassidy for this encounter, the Steaders welcomed back Katie Tong after she was unavailable for their landmark win over Navarre the week prior, with Layla Zepnick stepping aside.
Knowing how dangerous the hosts can be as the underdogs, Carisbrook challenged Newstead early with their quick tempo in the midcourt, hoping to catch their opponents’ improved defence off guard.
Katie Bilton and Laura Hurse helped fuel the Redbacks’ fast start, which gave the visitors a six-goal advantage heading into quarter time.
With shooting partner Abbey Nalder splitting her 12 shots in the opening term, player-coach Jordan McClure supplied a dependable source of goals for Carisbrook with eight goals from nine attempts.
Newstead’s shooting duo of Brianna Jury and Tayla Gale both netted four goals from their six shots in the first period.
The Redbacks turned their strong start into complete control in the second quarter, applying serious pressure on the Steaders with their excellent defence.
Rising star Ella Patten made an instant impact on the match after coming on to start the period, assisting Finley Wagstaff and Maggie Tranter in defence as Carisbrook conceded only five goals in the term, doubling up Newstead 27-13 at half time.
Nalder began to find her usual shooting groove with seven second-quarter goals, while McClure remained consistent by adding six of her own.
Wagstaff and Tranter made life very difficult for Gale and Jury throughout the term, with Gale finishing with three goals and Jury converting two.
The Steaders regained their footing in the third quarter, with midcourters Sophie Bond, Tong and Jessica Currie matching well against their opponents to begin the second half.
However, the Redbacks carried their first-half momentum into the third term, virtually sealing the result with an 18-goal lead at three-quarter time.
Newstead’s decision to switch their defensive matchups to Chelsey Williams onto Nalder and Zoe Douglass marking McClure did help the hosts hold Carisbrook to 12 goals for the quarter, with Nalder leading the way with eight successful shots.
Jury provided an injection to the Steaders offence by going six for six in the third quarter, while Gale added two.
The fourth quarter was very similar to the previous 15 minutes of netball, highly competitive with a key emphasis on defence.
The result was also similar as the Redbacks won the quarter 11-8 to secure a 50-29 victory, their 11th of the season.
After scoring eight goals in the last period, McClure finished as the game’s leading scorer with 26 goals, surpassing teammate Nalder, who ended up with 24 goals.
Jury led the way for Newstead with 16 goals, including four in the fourth quarter, while Gale finished with a game total of 13 goals.