Sport
23 June, 2026
Harcourt rebound from shock loss with win over Giants
Harcourt has strengthened its position near the top of the MCDFNL ladder with a hard-fought 28-point victory over the Maryborough Giants at Hedges Oval on Saturday.
The Lions controlled much of the contest and were rewarded with a 13.9.(87) to 8.11.(59) victory, although the final margin did not fully reflect the pressure applied by the Giants in the closing stages.
Harcourt had the upper hand from the outset, kicking the first two goals of the game through Taylar McKnight to establish an early advantage before the Giants could settle.
A third major followed when Riley Henderson gathered a stray handball and finished neatly on the run, extending the visitors’ lead.
The Giants finally broke through late in the opening term when Brandon Carter snapped truly from near the boundary line after a clever kick along the ground from Rhys Egan.
However, Harcourt responded before quarter time through Jed Rodda, who marked in the goal square and converted from close range to give the Lions an 18-point lead at the first break.
The second quarter was an entertaining affair, with both sides trading goals. Harcourt managed four majors for the term while the Giants added three of their own, ensuring the visitors maintained control of the contest.
Despite the Giants’ efforts to stay in touch, the Lions headed to the main break holding a 23-point advantage.
The game was effectively decided during the third quarter. Harcourt locked the ball inside its forward half for much of the term and capitalised through Henderson, Benjamin Leech, and Jack Threlfall.
The Giants were unable to register a goal for the quarter as the Lions stretched their lead to 44 points at the final change.
To their credit, the Giants refused to concede. Atticus Cullinan kicked two final-quarter goals as the home side mounted a spirited fightback, while several teammates also found the scoreboard as the margin steadily narrowed.
Harcourt steadied through a goal to Rodda midway through the term and did enough to halt the comeback.
Declan Wagstaff, Kaylab Eggers, Jonathon Short, Scott Miller, Jack Broad, and Lachie Condie were named the Giants’ best players, while Braydon Vaz, Matthew McArthur, Henderson, Thomas Walters, Dan Chaplin, and McKnight led the way for the Lions.