Sport
5 December, 2025
MCDFNL reveal fixture for 2026 season
The Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) officially released the fixture for the 2026 season, with some exhilarating matches scheduled to start the new campaign.
The season will commence on Good Friday with a standalone clash pitting Maldon against Dunolly. Happening on Friday, April 3, it’s set to be an intriguing event on the senior football and netball playing field.
After both losing in the elimination final last season, the Bombers and Eagles will be keen to start 2026 with a win, while both A Grade sides will be hopeful to move up the ladder after missing out on finals in 2025.
The remaining round one fixtures will be played on Saturday, April 11, headlined by some tantalising football fixtures as Trentham play Carisbrook in a Grand Final rematch and fellow premiership hopefuls Talbot and Harcourt face off at Talbot Recreation Reserve.
The rest of round one sees Natte Bealiba play Navarre, Newstead host Avoca, and Lexton take on the Maryborough Giants.
Just like last season, Campbells Creek will wait until round two to kick off their season after a round one bye.
Avoca will unveil its third consecutive A grade netball flag versus the Maryborough Giants in a potentially blockbuster round two matchup, while an ANZAC night matchup between Trentham and Newstead will headline round three.
All other round three games are scheduled to be played on the following Sunday.
Key matches scheduled for 2026 MCDFNL season
- Following their extra-time stunner in the senior football preliminary final, Carisbrook and Natte Bealiba will play twice in round two and round 15.
- A grade runners-up Talbot will aim for some retribution against reigning premiers Avoca in round six.
- Also in round six, the Maryborough Giants play Natte Bealiba after disappointing ends to their A grade campaigns.
- Harcourt hosts Trentham in round seven, the first time the senior football sides meet after their thriller in the 2025 qualifying final.
- A replay of another classic senior football qualifying final is set for round eight when Carisbrook plays Talbot.
- Old Lexton League rivals Navarre and Lexton meet once in the 2026 regular season, happening in round nine.
- Netball powerhouses Natte Bealiba and Avoca have to wait until round 13 to face off, coinciding with NAIDOC Week celebrations across all clubs.
Each team will once again have two byes during the season, with a league-wide break for the King’s Birthday Weekend on Saturday, June 6.
Finals remain unchanged, starting on Saturday, August 22 and culminating in the MCDFNL Grand Final day on Saturday, September 12.