Sport
7 April, 2026
Dunolly opens with conviction over Maldon
A refreshed Dunolly has drawn first blood in the new MCDFNL season, complementing an impressive defensive performance with a 49-24 victory over Maldon.
Headlined by former three-time league best and fairest Ashlee Lierich and returning coach Lara Clements, the Eagles’ defence suffocated the Bombers to five goals in the first and fourth quarter as their offence burst late to double up their opponents.
Both teams entered the season-opening Good Friday clash hoping to generate some early momentum after disappointing campaigns in 2025.
With Lillie Wrigley unavailable, Chloe Goodwin grasped her opportunity starting at goal shooter, capitalising on the patient buildup orchestrated by Mel Schodde with an early shooting hot streak to give her team a quick 8-2 advantage.
As Dunolly threatened to accelerate in the blink of an eye, Maldon goal defender Claire Hamilton clipped the Eagles’ wings with several interceptions, allowing midcourters Charlotte Harrison and Claire Kelly more chances to get the ball to their shooters.
With late makes from Zoe Brown and Alannah Furmston, the Bombers limited the first-quarter damage to a 10-5 deficit at the opening break.
While Dunolly stayed put, Maldon was aggressive in their lineup alterations at the break, with defender Gabrielle Kelly and shooter Laney McNeill coming on as part of five positional changes.
Despite Hamilton continuing to make spectacular plays on defence, Dunolly’s offence was beginning to make the most of Lierich and Clements’ excellent surveillance in the goal circle, breaking Maldon’s centre passes.
After cooling slightly late in the first quarter, young gun Goodwin refound her mojo alongside Hannah Kenny in the second term, with the pair combining for 15 goals as the Eagles built a 13-goal lead at half time.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, as the Bombers began to take greater care of the netball after unforced turnovers in the midcourt plagued them throughout the first half.
Despite Maldon’s improvements, Dunolly maintained their healthy advantage, heading into the final term up 35-19.
Following her brief cameo at goal attack during the third quarter, Clements provided a spark to Dunolly’s offence in the fourth quarter, creating a strong tandem with Goodwin after scoring 10 goals from her 15 attempts.
With Clements shifting to the other end of the court, Stevie Collins replaced her at goal defence seamlessly, as she, Lierich, Leah Davis and Ruby Lang denied Maldon any chance of a comeback, sealing Dunolly’s 25-goal victory.
After sporadic appearances with the A grade outfit last season, Goodwin looks poised to play a more predominant role for the Eagles in 2026 after finishing with a game-high 28 goals on Friday.
Furmston was Maldon’s leading scorer with 12 makes, while Brown and McNeill both added six.