Sport
14 July, 2026
Superb second half steers Lexton past Newstead
At half time of a round 13 encounter they were widely expected to win, Lexton found themselves in a tense low-scoring affair, leading a determined Newstead 23-18.
With the Steaders gazing their sights on a major upset, Lexton shooting prodigy Charlize Kennedy and esteemed veteran Rachel Phelan turned Newstead’s aspirational dreams into a harrowing nightmare, scoring a breathtaking 23 goals in the third term to power the Tigers to victory.
After finishing with 209 goals in her first A grade campaign last season, 2025 MCDFNL 17 and under best and fairest Kennedy has rapidly cemented herself as one of the competition’s deadliest shooters, currently fifth in the league’s leading goal-scorers after sinking 48 shots on Saturday.
While her scoring volume wasn’t as substantial, Phelan was equally outstanding for the Tigers, making 18 of her 19 attempts on goal to help Lexton produce a mesmerising 43-15 second half.
The Steaders returned home with their defence noticeably weakened due to the unavailability of Layla Benson-Zepnick and Caitlan Bird.
However, Amelia Britt and Laura Johnston stepped up in their absence, limiting the production of Lexton’s revamped midcourt led by the returning Ebony Howell and Darci Berry.
While the hosts started brightly, the defensive excellence of Shanae Hepworth and Eliza Bell ensured Lexton entered quarter time leading by three goals.
With Berry, Ebony and Caitlin Howell enjoying more success navigating past Newstead’s defensive structure, Kennedy and Phelan threatened to build a significant lead for the Tigers.
However, while their defence was thriving under adversity, a valuable addition to Newstead’s attack was beginning to pay dividends after a promising opening term.
The debuting Shannon Lamden immediately showed chemistry with Brianna Jury and Jessica Currie, helping the Steaders preserve possession and composure until an opening appeared.
That allowed Newstead to end a fiercely competitive first half within touching distance of their opponents, but that quickly changed after half time as Lexton produced a barely believable third quarter.
Cindy Teggerth, Berry and Caitlin Howell were slicing through the midcourt like a knife through butter, powering the Tigers into the attacking third where Kennedy and Phelan were waiting to complete the finishing touches.
Within the space of 15 minutes, the Tigers managed to double their score, suddenly leading by 21 goals at three-quarter time.
Kennedy and Phelan added another 20 goals in the fourth quarter to complete a remarkable second half from Lexton which ended in a 66-33 victory.
Despite the shell-shocking end to a valiant first act, debutant Lamden starred for the Steaders with a team-high 17 goals alongside Jury, who finished with 13. Currie converted three of her four attempts on goal after being subbed in at goal attack for the fourth quarter.