Sport
19 June, 2026
Lady Redbacks fight valiantly against Swans
The Ballarat Swans proved too good for the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks last Sunday at Alfredton Recreation Reserve, winning by 140 points.
After their dominant performance was slightly marred by inaccuracy in front of goal, the Swans eventually overpowered a valiant defensive performance from Carisbrook with a 55-point final term.
Tamika Loone-Grundy, Mahli Stone and Sherriden Byrne were the key additions to a Lady Redbacks team hoping to return from the King’s Birthday long weekend producing a similar performance to their narrow 16-point loss to last season’s preliminary finalist East Point.
Despite Carisbrook conceding 13 unanswered scoring shots in the opening term, the defensive pressure of Danae Every, Charlotte Cain and Danika Anderson forced the majority of Ballarat’s attempts to go wayward.
Following a 3.10 first quarter, the Swans continued to trap the ball inside their attacking half. Yet the Lady Redbacks remained resolute, making the Swans earn every single point they kicked.
Despite being held scoreless, Carisbrook was doing a tremendous job denying Ballarat the opportunity to sprint away, trailing by 52 points at the main break.
The half time interval didn’t halt Ballarat’s momentum, registering another 13 scoring shots in the third term.
However, their goal-kicking woes from the first half continued into the third quarter, with Carisbrook holding the Swans to four goals.
The Swans finally found their goal-kicking boots in the closing stages, scoring 9.1 in the fourth quarter to finish on 19.26.(140) to Carisbrook’s no score.
Newcomers Izzy Barby and Arna Tatchell have quickly emerged as valuable contributors for the Lady Redbacks, named among the team’s best players alongside Every, Cain, Emme Johnson and Anderson.
As the Ballarat Women’s Football League celebrates Ronald McDonald House Charity Round this weekend, Carisbrook will travel to Maddingley Park on Sunday to play top-of-the-table Bacchus Marsh.
The Lady Redbacks will be seeking improvements from their 129-point defeat to the Cobras back in round four.