Sport
2 September, 2025
Hawks soar into preliminary final over Giants
The Talbot Hawks have flown into their second consecutive preliminary final, holding their nerve against the Maryborough Giants to book their place in the last four with an enthralling three-goal triumph.
It’s a remarkable achievement for a team that finished with a mere two wins in 2023, hoping to go one step further than last season’s magical finals run when they face Carisbrook on Sunday.
Both teams deserved to advance with their performance last Saturday. However, the Giants were the unfortunate side that had their strong season stopped by Talbot in the semi-final for the second year running.
Neither team could generate a breakthrough early, with both midcourts using lob entry passes to great effect.
It was the Hawks who drew first blood midway through the opening term and threatened to go on a late run with some timely turnovers.
The Giants responded thanks to an intercept from Ruby Saunder, as they trailed by two goals at the quarter-time break.
Talbot shooter Elenoa Costello was a problem for the Giants early, with her clever positioning and movement setting up 14 great chances at the net, cashing in 13.
Talbot player-coach Eleisha Phelps was more than happy to defer to the hot hand of Costello early, adding one.
After playing a crucial role in the Giants’ two-goal victory over Newstead in the B grade semi-final, Abbey Devereaux converted her first three attempts of the A grade final, while star shooter Lacey Broad led with nine makes.
Determined to get ahead in the contest, the Giants scored six of the first nine goals of the second quarter to storm into the lead thanks to some brilliant entry passes from Christie Chapple and Alisha Hovey splitting Talbot’s defence.
Despite losing their advantage, the Hawks maintained their composure and retook the lead with a late run.
An impressive long-range make from Devereaux after the half time siren ensured the margin remained unchanged after the second quarter, with Talbot up 27-25.
Costello and Phelps remained in sparkling form for the Hawks, combining to score all 13 of their attempts on goal during the period.
Broad earned multiple second chances with her excellent rebounding, netting 10 for the quarter while Devereaux added three.
Both teams strived to create some breathing room early in the second half. However, some brilliant shooting ensured neither team could generate that separation.
With Talbot slightly extending their lead to four goals, it was all to play for as the players braced for a tense final quarter.
While Broad and Devereaux combined to score 16 goals for the Giants, Costello remained exceptional, netting 18 goals in the third period to keep the Hawks ahead.
Looking to repeat their semi-final win from last season, Talbot seized the momentum to start the fourth, putting their opponents under serious pressure early.
Even with several uncharacteristic turnovers and some stellar interceptions from Talbot’s Loren Aquilina, the Giants’ defence kept their team’s chances alive as they look to regain their nerve.
Then suddenly, the Giants began to rally, cutting the deficit to one midway through the term and had the chance to tie the game after a held ball call.
However, a superb defensive stand from Jess White, capped with two pivotal rebounds, kept the Hawks in front as their offence refound their mojo.
A late Melissa Scott interception sealed a brilliant result for Talbot, finishing as 55-52 winners.
While the Hawks have routinely finished games this season with Phelps and Shianne Milera as shooters, Costello was playing too well to take off, delivering eight crucial goals to finish with a game-high 46 goals from just 50 attempts.
Broad produced a spirited performance for the Giants with 38 goals, with Devereaux scoring 14 with only one miss for the match.
Phelps was ecstatic that her team made back-to-back preliminary finals, saying it took a whole team effort to get the job done.
“At three-quarter time, I said to them we have only got 15 minutes to go, but we still need to work hard, we can’t back it off at all,” she said.
“I said it’s only a couple of goals in it, and it can change, so keep our centre pass and keep that pressure on in defence to be able to get it back and get those turnovers.
“We just chipped away at it and put the pressure on their shooters to make them change their minds and do different passes into the circle instead of straight into their shooters.
“We had a few turnovers and little errors in our attack, but our defence backed us up and got it back to us. We were able to convert on those turnovers, so we are thankful for our defensive end this week.”