Sport
23 June, 2026
Newstead prove too good for Campbells Creek
Newstead has entrenched itself back into the finals picture with a 22-goal victory over Campbells Creek.
Tied at 11 apiece at quarter time, the Steaders ensured they wouldn’t relive their disheartening round nine defeat to Harcourt with a 16-6 second quarter that provided the catalyst for a strong second half.
With Dunolly, Talbot and Maryborough all losing, Newstead is back to being within touching distance of the finals spots ahead of their crucial match with the eighth-placed Hawks this weekend.
After teenager Millie King made a strong first impression in their defeat to Natte Bealiba the week prior, the Magpies called up B grade standout Ashleigh Coburn for her first foray in A grade this season.
Coburn immediately made an impact alongside Phoebe Jones and Reagan Fulford in Campbells Creek’s defensive third, while Heni Moeke was providing a valuable scoring punch following some early looks.
After struggling in treacherous conditions against the Lions, Newstead’s Brianna Jury and Emily Cooper were enjoying being back on their home court, keeping the Steaders level at the opening interval.
Following a quick regrouping at the break, Newstead looked like a reinvigorated side in the second quarter as they began to seize control.
It started through Amelia Britt, Layla Benson-Zepnick and Caitlan Bird. The defensive trio constantly intervened in Campbells Creek’s passing lines and routinely forced takeaways.
Newstead’s midcourt maestro Jessica Currie often delivered those takeaways to Jury and Cooper, who nestled into a devastating shooting groove.
When the dust settled on the second quarter, the Steaders held a commanding 10-goal lead.
That lead only increased in the third quarter, as the hosts kept their foot on the gas.
While Cooper and Jury combined to add another 15 goals, the killer B’s Benson-Zepnick, Bird and Britt held the Magpies to seven goals in the third term as the margin ballooned to 18 goals.
Credit to Campbells Creek, they ended the contest on a high note with the versatile Taylah Sartori helping Moeke and King go on a late scoring spree.
It didn’t influence the final result however, as the Steaders ended with a season-high 57 goals.
That team landmark was powered by individual achievements from Jury, who scored 31 of her 39 attempts, and Cooper, who netted 25.
Campbells Creek’s 35 goals were also a season-high, with Moeke setting a new benchmark with 18 goals alongside King, who scored 17.