Sport
22 July, 2025
Hurse return allows Redbacks to regain form versus Eagles
Carisbrook has quickly recovered from its loss to fellow premiership contenders Natte Bealiba last week with a swift 41-goal victory against Dunolly.
Not only was the win consequential in the Redbacks returning to third on the MCDFNL ladder, last Saturday also saw the long-awaited return of 2024 Nalder Tracey trophy winner Laura Hurse, who’s missed Carisbrook’s previous five games, with three of them losses.
The Eagles added promising youngster Mia Schodde back to their squad following their competitive loss to Navarre in round 13.
After some early turnovers from both sides, the Redbacks and the Eagles began to settle into the match, with the Redbacks up 6-3 after five minutes.
However, Carisbrook seized control with a 10-2 run to end the quarter, generated by their fluent ball movement down the court to lead at quarter time by 14 goals.
The Redbacks’ Abbey Nalder top scored for the quarter with 12 goals, while shooting partner Jordan McClure used her height advantage to full effect, scoring nine herself.
With defensive duo Finley Wagstaff and Ella Patten controlling the rebounding, Dunolly shooters Leah Davis and Lillie Wrigley were under serious pressure to make their shots, netting four and three respectively.
After some quarter-time switches, both teams played some great defence to start the second quarter, generating multiple interceptions and forced turnovers.
As the sides began to settle after the first break, Dunolly started to find an offensive groove, but couldn’t keep up with Carisbrook, who scored 18 goals in the period to extend their advantage to 21 goals at half time.
Nalder remained the Redbacks’ main threat even under Demcy Fraser’s improved surveillance, netting 11 while McClure went an efficient seven for eight.
Starting a game for the first time since round seven, Wrigley began to make a serious impact in the second term, where she has commonly come off the bench, making seven of nine shots to lead Dunolly’s scoring, with Zoe Aldridge adding one.
The second half started with a low-scoring third quarter as both teams produced some tremendous defensive plays.
After Carisbrook maintained their advantage to start the term, Dunolly held their own throughout, keeping the deficit to 24 goals at three-quarter time.
With McClure rested for the third quarter, the returning Hurse stepped in at goal attack. To combat this, Dunolly swapped Fraser and Ashlee Lierich around in the third, which seemed to work, with Nalder held to 12 goals and Hurse adding one.
Wrigley cooled slightly due to Wagstaff’s defence, scoring six while Aldridge made all four of her attempts in the quarter.
Keen to finish with a bang, the Redbacks exploded for 23 goals in the final quarter, finishing as 75-34 victors.
Returning for the fourth quarter, McClure excelled as the leading option with 20 goals in the last 15 minutes to finish with a game-high 36 goals, one goal ahead of Nalder. Hurse scored three of four shots in the period.
Wrigley finished as Dunolly’s leading scorer with 21 goals after netting five in the final term.