Sport
26 June, 2026
MCDFNL Round 11 Netball Preview Natte Bealiba vs Dunolly
Unbeaten Natte Bealiba will certainly be in for a tougher challenge than their 107-31 victory over Dunolly last year, with the Eagles keen to showcase their finals potential.
While Dunolly’s high-flying start has been hampered by a recent losing skid against many of the competition’s top contenders, their last four matches have arguably been the clearest examples of their year-to-year improvement from their one-win campaign last season.
Last weekend’s home defeat to Trentham was certainly a bitter pill to swallow, but Dunolly almost completed the great escape after trailing by 14 goals at half time.
Alongside their excellent full-court pressure, young guns Chloe Goodwin and Mia Schodde caught fire under the net to draw the Eagles within touching distance before falling five goals short.
Saturday’s fightback gives player-coach Lara Clements a challenging conundrum against a Natte Bealiba side that possesses game-changing talent on both ends.
With Natte’s scoring triumvirate of Chelsea Ross, Eve and Sian Mortlock continuing their sizzling form with 62 goals against Talbot, Clements could be compelled to start alongside Ashlee Lierich in defence after the duo allowed just 15 goals in the second half versus Trentham.
However, with Naomi Medlyn and Ellie Martin anchoring a league-leading defence that’s allowed on average just 31 goals a game, it would be a tall order to expect Goodwin and Schodde to continue their hot streak.