Sport
12 August, 2025
Giants lead top four race after Trentham battle
The Maryborough Giants remain in the driver’s seat for the last spot in the top four after pulling away from a spirited Trentham in the second half to record a 50-35 victory.
The Giants are now four points clear in fourth from Lexton and Talbot and hold a percentage advantage.
While a win over Natte Bealiba would secure their spot in the top four, even a narrow loss would suffice with Lexton playing Carisbrook and the Hawks having the bye.
While the Saints entered this game unchanged following their heartbreaking loss to Newstead the week prior, the Giants had a huge addition for this clash, welcoming in 2024 Bendigo Strikers 23 and under runner-up best and fairest Mia McCrann-Peters to the team.
Even though they were playing for pride, the Saints were determined to finish their 2025 season with a statement performance, matching the Giants early.
While both teams are more known for their scoring ability, the Giants and Saints were brilliant defensively to begin the match, with the Giants holding a 10-9 lead at quarter time.
Former Nalder Tracey Trophy winner Jessica Walker did a brilliant job holding the Giants’ rising star shooter Lacey Broad to eight goals in the opening term. Broad’s teammate Ruby Saunder assisted early with two makes.
Sharna Ford and Kasey Button started as shooters for the Saints, with Ford leading the way with five goals and Button adding four.
Looking to pull away to begin the second quarter, the Giants made some changes, introducing McCrann-Peters into the match at goal attack, allowing Saunder to shift into goal defence to support Riahni Egan and Julie Anderson.
The alterations did help the Giants take the upper hand, however, they couldn’t break away from the shackles of a resourceful Trentham team, who only trailed by five goals at the main break.
Broad had more luck creating space from Walker in the second period, making nine of her 10 shots. McCrann-Peters wasted no time making an impact off the bench, scoring four goals.
With Ford having some shooting struggles under the eye of Saunder, Button stepped up for the Saints, netting five.
After tinkering in the second quarter, the Giants believed they solved the puzzle to the Saints conundrum, and they were proven right when they began the second half with a dominant run, stifling Trentham’s offence.
The Saints tried everything to get their offence running again, but it was no use as the Giants conceded only five goals all quarter, blowing the margin out to 14 goals at three-quarter time.
Anderson, Egan and Saunder had Trentham on lockdown in the third period, with Ford and Button limited to two goals and new shooter Hayley Bourke held to one.
Broad was keeping the Giants clicking at the other end with 10 goals in the third quarter, while McCrann-Peters continued her strong start by adding four.
The Saints returned to their first-half form in the last term, but the damage caused in the third quarter ensured the Giants were never threatened at the death, securing a 15-goal victory.
With Broad swapping roles with Saunder and shifting into defence, Saunder showcased her shooting touch in the final period, scoring nine goals to add to McCrann-Peters’ four.
Button finished the game strongly for the Saints, making seven of eight shots to finish with a team high 18 goals. Ford was close behind with 16 goals, including five in the fourth quarter.