Sport
11 August, 2026
Trentham sets stage for dramatic final round
With their 57-point victory over Maldon, Trentham continues to author a fascinating end to the 2026 home and away season, set to culminate in a climactic final chapter.
While their rampant seven-game winning streak has secured them the luxury of double chance, the Saints have also played a starring role in who will claim the last remaining finals ticket.
After Trentham aided their chances last weekend by vanquishing fellow finals hopefuls Natte Bealiba, Saturday’s loss to the Saints has dropped the Bombers down to tenth. Yet with a round 18 bye automatically handing them four points, Maldon remains the favourites in a three-team battle for the coveted eighth spot.
Natte Bealiba enjoyed the fruits of their late-season bye last weekend to slide into eighth, but they’ll need to beat premiership hopefuls Newstead to preserve their newly inherited position and keep their impressive finals streak alive.
Lexton also has the opportunity to complete an improbable finals berth thanks to their victory over Campbells Creek, but they have an even tougher task, needing a Swans loss and an away victory at Talbot.
The Swans and Tigers’ finals hopes were given a major lift early Saturday afternoon when Trentham kicked four unanswered goals past the Bombers in the opening term.
While the defensive efforts of Maldon’s Thomas McNeill, Isaiah Hartley and Matthew Gray kept the Saints threatening attack to a catchable score, Trentham’s defensive game plan to restrict the Bombers recently improved ball movement proved fruitful.
With Taylor Ford and Dylan Holden patrolling the back six, Trentham’s 28-point quarter time lead rapidly expanded in the second term.
Possessing a rotating army of on-ballers like Joel Cowan, Joel Dovaston, Jacob Greenwood and Alister Ferrier while Cody Young and Matthew Milburn lurked on the outside, the Saints were constantly energetic in the midfield, resulting in a healthy advantage in clearances and inside 50s.
Club legend Jake Keogh ensured Trentham’s talented midfield was rewarded with several first-half goals that helped put the hosts 55 points up at the main break.
Determined to avoid repeating their heavy 188-point defeat to the reigning premiers from round six, Maldon looked rejuvenated for the second half.
While Damian Wust and Darcy Kelly were getting the Bombers back to even footing around the stoppage, Callum Buchanan was making his presence felt across the ground.
After outscoring the Saints 2.4 to 2.2 in the third quarter, Maldon remained highly competitive during an entertaining final term. Yet Keogh’s six-goal haul ensured Trentham’s lead was never in danger.
Bringing his goal tally against the Bombers this season to 14, Keogh was named alongside Ford, Holden, Edward Fanning, Young and Zachary Gervasoni in Trentham’s best players. Milburn also had a great game for the Saints, chipping in with three majors.
McNeill, Gray, Joshua Pascoe, Wust, Buchanan and Hartley were named standout performers for the Bombers, while Harrison Tulloch led the way up forward with two goals.