Sport
12 August, 2025
Final quarter push earns Harcourt top four spot
Maldon certainly gave them a run for their money, but seven goals in the final quarter sealed a 38-point victory for Harcourt, punching their ticket for the MCDFNL top four.
While fifth-placed Natte Bealiba can draw level on points with Harcourt in fourth if the Swans defeat the Giants and the Lions lose to Avoca next weekend, the Lions have a percentage advantage of 94 percent, making it virtually impossible for Natte to snatch the last double chance spot.
Last Saturday’s results also has positive ramifications for Maldon, even in defeat. Thanks to Navarre’s dominant win over Lexton, the Bombers have booked the last available finals spot, a remarkable achievement that seemed a pipedream at the start of July when they were 2-8.
The loss is also a stunning 120-point improvement from Maldon’s disheartening loss to Harcourt in round five, a massive confidence boost for the team as they prepare for their sixth consecutive elimination final.
With their documented defensive struggles this season, Maldon would’ve been pleased to keep Harcourt’s high-powered offence to three goals in the first quarter.
However, the Lions’ defence, led by Jordan Gartside, Luke Anderson and Alex Code, was even better, allowing only two scoring shots all quarter and frequently launching their team into attack.
Harcourt hoped to expand their 13-point quarter time lead in the second term, and while they did succeed, Maldon, led by mid-season additions Lachlan Shanks and Thomas Maxwell, did well to limit the damage, trailing by 20 points at half time.
The Bombers looked emboldened following their encouraging performance in the first half, and it began to translate on the scoreboard as they turned the tide during extended periods of a gritty third quarter.
Despite Maldon showcasing precise criticalness at the vital moments, helping them boot 3.1 for the term, Harcourt were just as potent, kicking two goals from
their two shots on goal to retain a 13-point lead heading into the final quarter.
That is when the Lions’ offence began to roar, with Braydon Vaz, Kaleb McBride and Jack Threlfall stepping up when needed to secure the win for Harcourt.
Joshua Hogg has been in sensational form for the Lions this season, named in the best players for the ninth time in 2025. He was joined by Gartside, Vaz, Luke Anderson, Thiesz and McBride.
Vaz and Threlfall led the way with three goals each, while McBride, Jack Archer and Thomas Walters all booted two.
Maldon listed Shanks, Maxwell, Billy Johns, Callum Buchanan, Darcy Kelly and Xavior Noy as their best players, with Matthew Gray and Jack Lacey their leading goalkickers with two majors.