Sport
24 June, 2025
Natte go top of the table after 82-goal victory
Another outstanding offensive exhibition from Natte Bealiba was the catalyst for the Swans to take first place in the MCDFNL after a commanding 95-13 win away from home against Maldon.
Both teams entered this game relatively unchanged from their matches last week, as the Swans looked to extend their unbeaten start to 2025 against a Bombers side striving for improvements.
Natte Bealiba set the tone early at Bill Woodfull Reserve, storming out to a 26-4 lead by quarter time.
The Swans midcourt, headlined by Ella Tranter and Ebony Raven, was aggressive from the opening centre pass, pushing a high tempo in transition and attempting some risky yet effective long-range passes, allowing Emma Ryan to have 29 shots in the opening term.
Ryan scored 24 of those attempts, while teammate Shannae Mills added two.
The Swans continued to take no prisoners in the second quarter, sitting in a highly advantageous position at half time with a 50-8 cushion.
After surpassing the 80-goal mark in her last two matches, Ryan was on course to repeat the feat against Maldon with 21 goals in the second period as Mills chipped in with three goals.
Natte kept pushing when play resumed after the half-time break, increasing their advantage to 62 goals at three-quarter time after defensive duo Ellie Martin and Bella Westbrook only allowed three goals for the term.
The Bombers defensive pairing of Claire Hamilton and Emma Webb had better luck slowing down Ryan, who scored 18 goals, but their focus on Ryan allowed Mills to increase her scoring load, netting five for the quarter.
The Swans completed their dominant victory with a 22-2 final quarter to cruise to another four points ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with the Avoca Bulldogs this weekend.
A game total of 79 goals, including 16 in the final quarter, allowed Ryan to increase her season tally to 649 goals, currently sitting 177 goals ahead in the MCDFNL goal-scoring charts.
Mills started to find a groove in the second half, finishing with 16 goals for the match after scoring six in the fourth period.