Sport
3 July, 2026
Carisbrook show fight in Redan defeat
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks fought valiantly against premiership hopefuls Redan, showing internal improvement throughout their 137-point defeat.
After opening 2026 with a convincing loss to last season’s runner-up, an understaffed Carisbrook hoped to showcase sustained resistance against the Lions at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
While rising star Emme Johnson was a noticeable absence on Sunday, the dynamic mother-daughter duo of Sherriden Byrne and Mahli Stone alongside Izzy Barby and Zeann Cassells all returned for the Lady Redbacks.
After some encouraging passages from the opening bounce, Charlotte Cain kicked a much-deserved goal for the Lady Redbacks early in the first quarter.
The hosts carried that momentum throughout a gritty opening term, trailing by 28 points at quarter time.
While Redan were constantly finding avenues into their forward 50, the Lady Redbacks managed to restrict their opponent’s scoring opportunities.
Byrne was a reliable target for her Carisbrook teammates on the lead, relieving pressure on the defenders with several strong contested marks and smart pick-ups of the loose ball.
Cain continued to battle around the contest while Tamika Loone-Grundy was a tireless engine who hunted down any Lion with the ball in their hands.
Despite Redan’s constant possession, the Lady Redbacks kept the Lions to five goals in the second quarter, limiting their half time deficit to 61 points.
Olivia Butler and Danae Every remained a constant nuisance for Redan forwards in the second half as Carisbrook remained motivated to deny easy shots at goal.
Even after an inaccurate 4.8 third term, the Lions looked to be improving as the game wore on, entering three-quarter time up by 93 points.
Courtesy of a seven-goal haul from star forward Jess Bokma and four majors from Ellen Werts, Redan completed a 21.17.(143) to 1.0.(6) victory with seven unanswered goals in the fourth quarter.
Carisbrook named Byrne, Cain, Butler, Loone-Grundy, Arna Tatchell and Every as their standout performers.
Following this weekend’s league-wide break, the Lady Redbacks will have an immediate chance to improve upon Sunday’s performance when they once again face Redan on Sunday, July 12 at City Oval.