Sport
19 May, 2026
Dunolly delivers Lexton’s first loss of 2026
Dunolly’s rapid ascent back to MCDFNL A grade finals contenders has received a heavy dose of rocket fuel, overcoming the previously undefeated Lexton in a stunning 42-36 triumph.
After winning four games in their previous two seasons, the Eagles now boast a 4-1 record, currently nestled inside the top four.
Following a tense opening term, Dunolly proceeded to allow just 12 goals over the next 30 minutes of netball, allowing shooters Lara Clements and Hannah Kenny to develop a double-digit lead a late Lexton rally couldn’t erase.
Despite being only one of three teams to enter round six without a loss, Saturday’s defeat places the Tigers at the tail end of an elite cluster of fast starters in sixth, entering their weekend bye before a date with Avoca in round eight.
After missing Dunolly’s first loss of the season against Newstead, club legend Mel Schodde was back in the starting lineup, allowing player-coach Clements to start at goal attack.
While the hosts entered Saturday’s match with the benefits of an impactful inclusion, Lexton were without leading scorer Charlize Kennedy. After travelling interstate for the Tigers’ thrilling win over Talbot, Ciane Van Dyken was also absent.
Fellow rising star Stella Alexander-Foster was called up in Kennedy’s place, while Kristy Hadler was brought in to solidify Lexton’s shooting depth.
With both teams showcasing their defensive excellence during their swift starts to 2026, the first quarter started at a methodical pace, with ball security a key priority.
Despite Van Dyken’s absence, Caitlin Howell, Darci Berry and Cindy Teggerth ensured the visitors made the most of their early possessions, allowing experienced shooter Rachel Phelan to start well.
Dunolly’s midcourt of Schodde, Ruby Lang and Charlotte Liddicoat kept pace with their counterparts’ production, limiting early mistakes and denying the defensive duo of Shanae Hepworth and Sarah Griffin easy interventions.
Neither team gained a definitive edge in the first quarter, with the Tigers and Eagles all tied up at 10 apiece at the opening break.
At the start of the second quarter, it was Dunolly’s defence that opened the door to separation, with Ashlee Lierich and Teagan Hovey routinely denying the Tigers access to Phelan.
With their defenders causing several Lexton centre breaks, the Eagles showed a more decisive clinicalness, with Kenny providing a defter shooting touch alongside the continuously accurate Clements.
With Lexton restricted to five second-quarter goals, the Eagles soared to a seven-goal lead at the main break.
Desperate to turn things around, Lexton opted to alter their personnel to start the second half.
While the versatile Eliza Bell shared time at wing defence and wing attack with Hepworth and Teggerth, Hadler was placed into goal shooter, allowing Alexander-Foster to share time with Howell at centre.
While those alterations provided Lexton an offensive boost, it couldn’t stop Dunolly from increasing their deficit to 12 goals at three-quarter time thanks to another proficient team performance.
Now forced to take calculated risks, the Tigers did mount a challenge thanks to the defensive interventions of Griffin and a motivated midcourt giving the in-form Phelan a chance to claw back the margin.
However, it proved too little too late as Dunolly held on to their most pivotal victory in years.
While Kenny ended with a season-high 22 goals, Clements was equally influential to Dunolly’s win, converting 20 of her 24 attempts at goal.
Under the watchful eyes of Lierich and Hovey, Phelan still managed a team-high 25 goals for Lexton with a shooting percentage of 80 percent. Hadler and Alexander-Foster netted six and five respectively for the visitors.