Sport
8 May, 2026
Lady Redbacks show heart versus Swans
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks showed great resolve throughout their Sunday clash with the Ballarat Swans, who powered their way to a 97-point win.
Thanks to Sunday morning’s early downpour, both teams were greeted to a very slick Carisbrook Recreation Reserve, making ball movement very difficult.
Despite Ballarat bursting out of the blocks with two quickfire goals, the Lady Redbacks prevented the Swans from immediately racing away.
Charlotte Cain was everywhere in the first quarter, a constant presence around the contest and winning several holding the ball free kicks with her relentless ball pressure.
Captain Olivia Butler also had an early impact in defensive 50, while the returning Sherriden Byrne took some excellent contestant marks that eased the pressure on the back six.
Even with the wet conditions, Ballarat showed early precision in front of goal, booting six unanswered goals in the first quarter to enter the opening change with a 39-point advantage.
The Swans continued their superiority into the second quarter, doing an excellent job trapping the football inside their forward 50.
However, the determination of the Lady Redbacks generated repeat stoppages throughout the term, noticeably slowing Ballarat’s scoring rate.
Danae Every and Zeann Cassells were tremendous for Carisbrook during the hard-fought quarter, stopping countless Ballarat scoring opportunities.
A goal just before the half time siren boosted the visitors lead to 54 points at the main break.
Carisbrook continued to make scoring tricky when play resumed for the second half, producing another encouraging quarter by holding the Swans to three majors in the term.
Ballarat were finally able to overrun the Lady Redbacks with eight scoring shots in the fourth quarter, finishing with a final score of 14.13.(97) while Carisbrook finished scoreless.
Cain, Byrne, Every, Chelcee Whittingslow, Jazmin Wintle-Burton and Cassells were named in the best players for the Lady Redbacks, who will enjoy a round six bye this weekend before hosting the Darley Devils on Sunday, May 17.