Sport
10 July, 2026
MCDFNL Round 13 Netball Preview Natte Bealiba v Avoca
CHS Broadbent Oval will host one of the most anticipated A grade matches in MCDFNL history as Avoca and Natte Bealiba put their undefeated records on the line in a titanic grudge match.
Quite remarkably, Saturday marks the second year in a row the Bulldogs and Swans will meet after going unbeaten during the first 10 rounds. In last season’s round 11 meeting, Natte seemed destined to break Avoca’s then 42-game unbeaten streak after leading by 10 goals at half time.
Timely interceptions from Caitlin Drummond and Keisha Tonzing brought the margin back to four before 22 fourth-quarter goals from Maddy Egan and Gina Steel powered the Bulldogs to a nine-goal victory.
After going on to claim their third consecutive premiership following a 65-46 preliminary final win over the Swans and winning their first 11 games of 2026, Avoca’s unbeaten run now spans an almost inconceivable 63 games.
It’s a streak that began nearly 1,150 days ago after round five of the 2023 regular season, a weekend where Natte replicated their stunning 2022 preliminary final triumph over the Bulldogs by overcoming a six-goal half time deficit to win 51-45.
With Ella Tranter and Chloe Ross still starring in the midcourt, Naomi Medlyn and Ellie Martin anchoring the competition’s best score prevention defence and Sian Mortlock and Chelsea Ross spearheading an elite attack, the Swans have the tools to end what they started. However, the Bulldogs don’t seem too keen on ending their sensational three-year stretch just yet.