Sport
22 July, 2025
Harcourt repeat their opening round demolition of Lexton
Harcourt has clawed their way back into the top four after repeating their dominant round one win over Lexton on Saturday, mauling the Tigers by 93 points.
The Lions wasted no time stamping their authority on the match, kicking six goals to one in the opening term to create a 31-point lead at quarter time.
Harcourt did a fantastic job burying the ball in their offensive half, and when Lexton did manage to clear the football, Carl Thiesz and Luke Anderson were right there for the Lions, ready to rebound the ball back inside 50.
Lexton improved to start the second quarter, however, Harcourt remained on top with five second-quarter goals, increasing the margin to 52 points at half time.
Despite Jaykeb Lench winning the ruck battle for the Tigers, the Lions still managed to control the contest, getting the ball to playmakers Braydon Vaz and Taylar McKnight, who drove Harcourt forward with efficiency.
The visitors’ defence, headlined by the continued efforts of Aiden Broughton, Will Brand and Lachy Rokebrand, was fantastic to start the second half, slowing the hosts to two goals in the third term to keep the deficit to 56 points.
However, Lexton couldn’t stop all of Harcourt’s offensive weapons forever, who booted seven goals in the final quarter to seal their spot back inside the top four with four rounds to play.
The Lions had a remarkable 13 different goalkickers on Saturday, with Jack Threlfall, Baxter Gurd, Kaleb McBride, Mitchell and Taylar McKnight all kicking multiple goals, including Threlfall leading the way with four majors.
Despite not hitting the scoreboard himself, Vaz had a massive impact going forward, named among Harcourt’s best players alongside Threlfall, Thiesz, Taylar McKnight, Anderson and Thomas Walters.
Broughton and Brand continued to showcase their defensive prowess for Lexton this season, with the pair once again named among the best players along with Lench, Jackson Kurzman, Rokebrand and Matthew Smith-Bye.
Keltyn Rinaldi was the Tigers’ only multiple goalscorer with two goals.