Sport
29 July, 2025
Maldon jump into top eight after tense Lexton battle
Maldon has worked its way into the top eight with only three rounds to play, surviving a first-quarter barrage from Lexton to defeat the Tigers by 14 points.
After a five-game losing streak seemingly put the Bombers’ finals chances on life support, they have risen into the finals spots with three clutch victories in their last four matches.
That didn’t seem to be the case in the first quarter, as Lexton dominated play throughout the opening term after Maldon kicked the first goal through Sebastyn Andrea.
However, inaccuracy from multiple set shots and open play plagued Lexton during the first quarter, kicking six behinds for their two goals. That limited their quarter time lead to 11 points.
The Bombers took full advantage of the Tigers’ miscues in front of goal, cutting the deficit to five inside the first minute of the second quarter with an early goal.
Despite a snapshot from Lexton’s Patrick Gleeson going through the big sticks, Maldon responded with goals from Ashley Woodman and Damian Wust to put themselves two points up at half time.
With both teams desperate to work their way into the finals discussion with a victory, the third quarter was a back-and-forth affair.
Lexton landed the first shot of the second half with a goal from Gleeson in the eighth minute before Bailey Brown retook the lead for Maldon with a goal inside the goal square.
The two teams would add another goal late in the third quarter through Tristian Rowe and Dylan Bourke, setting up a grandstand finish at
Bill Woodfull Reserve with the hosts up by one point at the final change.
With a spot inside the top eight on the line, Maldon piled serious pressure on the visitors, doing a tremendous job of keeping the ball inside their forward half to start the fourth quarter.
Looking to alleviate some of the duress placed upon them, Lexton was forced to concede several rushed behinds, making their chances of victory and finals slightly diminish with each minor score.
Then, midway through the term, Natnael McLaren, who’s delivered during clutch moments on multiple occasions this season, grabbed the ball out of the contest and snapped the ball through the big sticks to give the Bombers an 11-point cushion with seven minutes to play.
That proved to be the deciding moment as Lexton couldn’t hit the scoreboard in the final quarter, allowing Maldon to take a massive four points for their season.
It was a costly loss for the Tigers, who will now find it difficult to play finals football with a couple of difficult matches to come in the final three rounds of the home and away season.
Maldon captain Woodman has been in inspiring form, once again named in the best players for the fifth consecutive game.
Others named were Isaiah Hartley, Coby Bennett, Callum Buchanan, Xavior Noy and Mitchell Colston.
Lexton named Jacob Trevenen, Lachy Rokebrand, Aiden Broughton, Pat Parr, Lucas Blazko and Tom Fisher as their best players.