Sport
5 August, 2025
Talbot’s top-four hopes boosted by home win
Talbot has applied some enormous pressure on the Maryborough Giants for their spot inside the top four, earning a pivotal 58-38 over Navarre, who are now officially eliminated from double chance contention.
With the Hawks and Grasshoppers losing their last match to Avoca and Newstead respectively, both teams were keen to get back to winning ways ahead of finals and keep in touching distance of the fourth-placed Giants.
As both teams prioritised defensive pressure, scoring was problematic in the opening stages, with both sides clogging up the space in the defensive third.
As the first quarter progressed, it was the Hawks who began to get the ball into the goal circle with regularity thanks to their quick ball movement helping them take a 14-8 lead into quarter time.
Talbot implemented the same game plan as they started their last match against Avoca, beginning with proven defenders Jess White, Jane Costello and Melissa Scott all on the court to tremendous effect.
The shooting prowess of Elenoa Costello and Eleisha Phelps certainly helped the Hawks as well, with Elenoa Costello leading with eight goals and Phelps starting the game a perfect six for six.
Navarre counterpart Erin Jackson limited the damage for the visitors with five goals, while Brianna Hyslop chipped in with two and Chloe Frank added one.
The Hawks maintained control after the break with a 5-1 run to begin the second quarter.
The Grasshoppers improved as the term progressed, but couldn’t gain any ground after Talbot’s fast start, their deficit as a result increased to 12 goals by half time.
Elenoa Costello and Phelps were controlling the goal circle masterfully, creating easy looks for themselves with clever positioning and footwork. That allowed the former to score 12 and the latter to maintain her perfect shooting form with a further four goals.
Jackson matched her first-quarter performance with five goals, while Frank was building confidence late in the period, also finishing with five.
The third quarter followed in a similar vein to the previous term, an early run from Talbot increased their lead while not allowing Navarre to claw back the margin thanks to their relentless marking and consistent scoring.
Despite some great moments from Sophie Flood, Hayley Reading and Jade Allen, the visitors couldn’t find a way to slow down Phelps and Elenoa Costello, with the tandem scoring all 13 of their attempts in the third period to increase the hosts’ lead to 14 goals at three-quarter time.
Navarre’s Sidney Dyer and Amber Perry showed serious patience while looking for an opening in Talbot’s defence in the third quarter, with Hyslop being the main target, scoring eight, and Jackson netting three.
The Hawks put the finishing touches on a massive win for their season, back level on points with the Maryborough Giants with their round 18 bye still in hand.
With Elenoa Costello moved into defence for the final quarter, Phelps became the main option for Talbot, scoring 11 to finish the game with 25 goals, four behind Elenoa Costello.
Shianne Milera partnered with Phelps in the last period, making all four of her shots.
Jackson was the pick of the Grasshoppers shooters on Saturday, finishing with 19 goals, including six in the last 15 minutes, while Frank added three.