Sport
21 July, 2026
Newstead flex contender muscles against Avoca
Newstead further enhanced its premiership credentials with a commanding 118-point victory over Avoca at Avoca Public Park on Saturday.
The Steaders controlled the contest from the opening bounce with their depth, ball movement and attacking efficiency proving too much for a determined Bulldogs outfit.
Newstead wasted little time asserting its authority, kicking four first quarter goals while restricting Avoca to a solitary major to establish a 21-point lead at the first break.
Despite plenty of endeavour from the Bulldogs, the visitors controlled possession and continually created scoring opportunities.
The game was effectively decided in the second quarter as Newstead produced a devastating burst of football.
The Steaders piled on nine goals for the term through slick midfield play and relentless pressure, while their defence held Avoca goalless.
By half-time, Newstead had opened up a commanding 77-point advantage and had one hand firmly on the four points.
To Avoca’s credit, the Bulldogs continued to fight after the main break and managed another goal in the third quarter, but Newstead never allowed them to build any momentum.
The visitors added three more goals to extend their lead to 91 points at the final change before finishing strongly with seven goals in the last quarter to complete another emphatic victory.
Captain Joel Smith led the way for the Steaders with an outstanding four-quarter performance and was well supported by Lincoln White, Adam Hunter, Sam Winnard, William Moran and Liam O’Brien.
Newstead’s forward line again proved impossible to contain, with Winnard producing another brilliant display inside 50 to finish with seven goals.
O’Brien provided excellent support with four majors, while Joel Smith added four of his own as the Steaders spread the load across a potent attacking unit.
Despite the lopsided scoreboard, Avoca continued to compete throughout the afternoon. Byron Wynd was named the Bulldogs’ best player after another determined performance, while Toby Beavis, Alexander Hay, Mitchell Wardlaw, Fred Davis and Joel Howell all battled hard against one of the competition’s strongest line-ups.