Sport
23 June, 2026
Dunolly unable to stem Trentham’s might
The reigning premiers returned to the winners table on Saturday, overwhelming a noticeably improved Dunolly by 73 points.
With both teams attempting to prove themselves following round nine defeats to Talbot and Carisbrook respectively, the opening term quickly turned into an arm wrestle, as neither side could assert their control.
Despite Saints ruckman Zachary Gervasoni immediately giving first use to talented on-ballers like Joel Cowan, Alister Ferrier and Joel Dovaston, the Eagles held firm with Bailey Morton and Jay McDonald patrolling the back six.
Mitchell Goodwin, Lachlan Tranter and Joel Fisher gave the Eagles consistent drive out of the midfield as the clinical underdogs trailed by just nine points at quarter time.
That margin rapidly expanded early in the second quarter however, as Deledio Reserve quickly turned into the stage for the James Regan show.
Everything the 2025 MCDFNL leading goal-kicker touched turned to goals on Saturday, consistently creating separation from his opponent and striding towards the ball with a powerful lead that made him an easy target for Trentham’s midfielders.
Regan often finished pinpoint kicks inside 50 by splitting the big sticks, continuing his sparkling form into the third quarter as the Saints finished the first half up by 41 points.
Veteran Mark Strickland was another forward benefiting from some superb passes from Cowan, Ferrier and Dovaston, allowing Trentham to kick six third-quarter goals while Gervasoni and Taylor Ford held the Eagles goalless.
Despite the final result being decided with Trentham boasting a 78-point lead at three quarter-time, Dunolly ended the contest by winning the final quarter, outscoring the Saints’ 1.7 with three goals straight.
Fisher and Goodwin ended outstanding individual performances with four and three goals respectively.
Tranter, Morton, McDonald and Ricky McMahon also finished strongly for the Eagles, ending with a confidence-boosting fourth quarter ahead of their intriguing clash with Natte Bealiba.
Gervasoni was terrific in Trentham’s 73-point victory, named among the Saints’ best players alongside Cowan, Ferrier, Regan, Dovaston and Harrison Knight.
Regan ended the match with nine goals while his captain Dovaston kicked three and Cowan added two.