Sport
15 May, 2026
2026 MCDFNL Netball Round 6 Preview — Talbot vs Avoca
The much-anticipated 2025 Grand Final rematch between Avoca and Talbot has arrived, with the Bulldogs preparing to face their toughest test of the season against the vengeful Hawks.
Anyone with lingering heart problems would likely have been advised not to watch Talbot’s last two matches, with the Hawks finding themselves in a heart-racing thriller against Carisbrook and Lexton.
Despite excellent performances in both matches, Talbot has nothing to show for it on their record, falling to 2-2 with their losses decided by two goals or less.
It’s a disheartening situation for a team that’s been synonymous with rising in critical occasions. Yet optimists would point out that narrow deficits can easily change come finals, and the Hawks’ recent string of misfortune shouldn’t discredit their contender credentials.
While Talbot has been engaged in narrow blockbusters, Avoca’s premiership defence is off to a breezy start with five convincing victories. The only caveat to their faultless start is that four of their opening opponents finished in the bottom six last season, so the Bulldogs will be itching to continue their torrid run against a contender.
The Hawks only trailed by three goals at half time of last season’s decider before a 21-13 third term gave the Bulldogs a healthy advantage they never relinquished.
Talbot defenders Jane Costello, Melissa Scott and Maddy Williams will hope to prevent Avoca player-coach Maddy Egan and 2025 Grand Final Best on Court Gina Steel from going on another game-changing scoring run.