Sport
23 June, 2026
Lions defeat Giants in three-goal thriller
After going eight rounds without a victory, wins are beginning to pour down for Harcourt, who came up clutch in a captivating fourth quarter to vanquish Maryborough 45-42.
As both teams entered the final period deadlocked at 32-32, the tension was palpable at the Maryborough Netball Association.
With the game hanging on a knife’s edge, Harcourt turned that pressure into diamonds, producing their highest-scoring quarter to secure a vital four points.
With matches against two winless teams in Maldon and Campbells Creek sandwiched between their round 12 bye, the Lions are now an outside chance of challenging the top eight.
Although a victory would’ve pushed them inside the finals spots, Maryborough are still in the finals hunt, entering this weekend’s trip to Campbells Creek trailing Talbot in eighth on percentage.
While the Lions were unchanged from their drought-breaking victory over Newstead, the Giants welcomed back midcourter Maddison Smith and defender Jorgia Brown while also calling up Rebecca Dewhirst for additional scoring depth.
The opening term was a tense affair as both teams’ defensive standouts quickly asserted their presence.
Harcourt’s Carly Chaplin used her height advantage to great effect against Maryborough’s in-form shooter Bridget Allan, while her partner in crime Laura Suckling was routinely stealing entry passes.
Despite Chaplin and Suckling’s sensational start, Brown, Macey Parry and Riahni Egan ensured the visitors couldn’t create a noticeable advantage early.
Deadlocked at 9-9 at quarter time, the Giants and Lions looked to cement control in the midcourt.
Maryborough’s Smith and Kayley Walhouse swapped wing attack and centre roles to alter Harcourt’s defensive game plan, who called Ella Rule off the bench to play wing defence and allow Ursula van Dyk and Morgan Howorth to move further up the court.
Despite those alterations having their desired effects, both teams remained evenly matched.
While the Lions’ midcourt was creating more opportunities, Maryborough player-coach Laura McStravick willed her team into the lead with a deadly second quarter under the net.
Following her impressive round nine debut against Maldon, Emme Johnson came off the bench to help preserve Maryborough’s one-goal half time lead as Parry moved to mark Jarrenhy Webb and Egan was tasked with defending Jordan Bagley.
After drawing level, Harcourt threatened to build a lead after the restart, but under the constant surveillance of Maryborough’s shuffled defence, Webb and Bagley struggled to convert their chances.
McStravick maintained her sniper-like accuracy into the third quarter, ensuring the Giants were back on level terms at three-quarter time.
The stage was set for a gripping final quarter, which started with the Lions continuing to knock on the door of victory.
Assisted by the entry passes of Van Dyk and Zoe Mclean, Bagley and Webb possessed nerves of steel when it mattered most, giving the visitors a valuable buffer.
The Giants turned to Dewhirst to spark a late comeback, but despite her two pivotal makes, time quickly ran out on Maryborough.
While Webb and Bagley scored a game-winning 25 and 20 goals respectively, McStravick was the game’s most prolific shooter, ending with a season-high 30 goals alongside Allan’s 10 and Dewhirst’s two.