Sport
24 July, 2026
MCDFNL Round 15 Football Preview — Lexton vs Maldon
On July 26, 2025, Maldon and Lexton played in a de facto elimination final on a drizzly Saturday afternoon at Bill Woodfull Reserve.
With both teams entering the game only two points adrift of the top eight, the do-or-die encounter was neck-and-neck, with tensions rising to palpable levels when the Bombers led by a point at the final change.
After four quarters of fierce football, a simple swing of Natnael McLaren’s boot proved to be the difference for Maldon, kicking the only goal of the fourth term to sustain a miraculous late-season run that clinched the Bombers a finals spot from Lexton’s clutches.
Now one year later, almost to the day, the Tigers and Bombers will find themselves in an identical scenario this weekend at Lexton Reserve.
While both sides are currently outside the finals spots by four points, with eighth-placed Natte Bealiba playing Carisbrook, Trentham and Newstead in their last three matches, that spot could quickly become obtainable for the team that wins Saturday’s blockbuster.
Considering what unfolded last weekend, it seems like destiny these clubs would permanently alter each other’s finals fates, especially from Maldon’s perspective.
With their finals hopes on life support after trailing for almost all of their round 14 clash with Dunolly, the Bombers produced a defibrillator with a late goal that snatched a three-point victory.
Three points was also the winning margin for Lexton last weekend, who barely held on at the death against Maryborough to stay within striking distance of the top eight.