Sport
4 August, 2026
Navarre powers past Maryborough
Navarre further strengthened their momentum for another premiership push with a 47-point victory in a potential elimination final preview with the Maryborough Giants.
It was fast-flowing football from the opening bounce as Navarre and the Maryborough Giants produced an entertaining first quarter at the Navarre Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Giants controlled much of the opening 10 minutes and were rewarded when Atticus Cullinan kicked the first goal of the game five minutes in.
Despite dominating general play, the visitors failed to make the most of their opportunities, adding three consecutive behinds before Navarre captain Riley Bibby sparked the home side into action with his first goal at the 10-minute mark.
The remainder of the quarter was goal for goal, with the Grasshoppers taking a seven-point advantage into the first break.
The game swung decisively in the second term as Navarre lifted into another gear. Jack Mentha ignited the home side with three goals in the opening six minutes, while Bibby added another major midway through the quarter.
The Grasshoppers piled on eight goals for the term while restricting the Giants to just two, opening up a commanding 42-point lead at half time.
Maryborough refused to surrender after the main break and matched Navarre for much of the third quarter, but the home side maintained its advantage to lead by 48 points at the final change.
To the Giants’ credit, they launched one final challenge in the last quarter. Their pressure and ball movement improved significantly as they cut the margin to just 27 points heading into time-on, raising hopes of an unlikely comeback.
However, Navarre steadied when it mattered most, kicking the final three goals of the match to run out convincing 47-point winners.
Bibby was once again a dominant force inside 50, finishing with six goals, while Mentha provided outstanding support with three majors during the decisive second quarter.
Sam Rickard was influential through the midfield and down forward, Shannon Treloar and Oliver Notting controlled the play around the stoppages, while Will Moloney and Jonathan Baker also made strong contributions for the Grasshoppers.
For the Giants, Scott Miller battled tirelessly all afternoon and was well supported by Lachie Condie, Declan Wagstaff, Zayne Earl, Michael Sjaardema and Keegan Doherty.