Sport
31 July, 2026
MCDFNL Round 16 Netball Preview — Carisbrook vs Newstead
Newstead are in for a tough fight when they travel to the Redback’s home court on Saturday.
Carisbrook, who have come close to toppling the league’s top sides in the latter half of the season, are reaching their peak netball performance at the perfect time.
Missing out by just seven goals to Natte Bealiba on the weekend, where the sides were neck and neck until the final quarter has given the Redbacks plenty to reflect on ahead of Saturday’s game.
Yet to play a struggling Newstead side, Carisbrook will particularly look at their ability to remain competitive across all four quarters on the court and assert dominance early.
Abbey Nalder and Jordan Macilwain are expected to lead from under the goal ring, while Finley Wagstaff and Elise Mottram will make any sort of offensive effort from Newstead a challenge.
If anyone’s up for that challenge though, it’s Newstead’s Brianna Jury and Emily Cooper — a duo who have managed to find avenues to goal time and again through a tough season.
While it may not be reflected in the scorelines this season, clever interchanges and positioning shuffles by Newstead have meant they’re a side that isn’t afraid to adapt — something they’ll likely need to do if they stand a chance this weekend.
This will be the first time Newstead and Carisbrook meet this season and with Carisbrook hunting for redemption after their most recent defeat, it’s Newstead who are eager to test their mettle against the better side.