Sport
19 June, 2026
MCDFNL Round 10 Football Preview Avoca vs Navarre
Two former Lexton League rivals renew acquaintances this weekend when Avoca hosts Navarre at Avoca Public Park in a match that shapes as an important contest for both clubs.
Avoca enters the game after an extended break, having not played following the Kings Birthday bye and the round nine bye. The Bulldogs’ last outing resulted in a 73-point loss to Lexton, but prior to that they produced an impressive 51-point victory over Dunolly. Jordan Thomas was outstanding in that match with five goals, while Alex Riches added four as the Bulldogs recorded their highest score of the season.
The break may have allowed Avoca to freshen up and recover from a demanding first half of the season. The Bulldogs will be looking for strong performances from Daniel Howell, Bryce Howell, Scott Cawthan, Campbell Blair and Matthew Wardlaw as they attempt to cause an upset.
Navarre arrives in good form after consecutive victories over Dunolly and Lexton. The Grasshoppers were particularly impressive against Lexton, restricting the Tigers to just one behind in the first half before running out 43-point winners.
Sam Rickard continues to be a major weapon in attack for Navarre and booted four goals against Lexton, while captain Riley Bibby added three. Angus Bade was outstanding in that victory and will again be a key player alongside Shannon Treloar and Brady Tillig.
History suggests these encounters are often fiercely contested, and with both clubs sharing a long rivalry dating back to their Lexton League days, there will be no shortage of motivation on either side.