Sport
5 September, 2025
MCDFNL Netball Preliminary Final Preview: Avoca vs Natte Bealiba
In a replay of last season’s grand final, Natte Bealiba will attempt to bring an end to Avoca’s astonishing 50-game unbeaten streak when the rival MCDFNL powerhouses collide on Saturday.
After back-to-back losses to the Maryborough Giants and Carisbrook, the Swans looked to be back at their best in their semi-final, keeping the spirited Lexton at bay to advance.
“We just went back to why we play netball. We love playing with each other and just try to remember that out on the court and trust each other, trust our own abilities, go out there and show everyone how hard we have worked,” Natte player-coach Emma Ryan said.
“We were probably a bit more disciplined in defence, we were staying in play a bit more and also we were really looking after the ball in attack, so we were able to score off most of our turnovers in the second half.”
While Sunday’s performance was a needed confidence-booster, especially with the welcomed return of shooter Shannae Mills, it’s hard to put them as the favourites up against the team that beat them in the 2024 season finale.
Following a hard-fought first half, the Bulldogs commanded the last 30 minutes of their qualifying final versus the Maryborough Giants, winning the second half 36-15.
Even with their status as heavy premiership favourites, Avoca player-coach Maddy Egan said her team isn’t tempted to get carried away.
“We have just got to look forward to the next week,” she said.
“We probably played three quarters (versus the Giants), the first one was alright and our second quarter let us down but we pulled it together in the second half and pulled away.
“We just have to continue what we have been doing, try to start at the start of the game and not at half time and just working under pressure.”
If there was someone able to prevent the Bulldogs’ three-peat ambitions, the Swans are arguably the team best equipped to do so.
Natte is the team responsible for Avoca’s last two defeats — after ending their rivals then 45-game winning streak with a 10-goal triumph in the 2022 preliminary final on their way to a premiership, the Swans did it again in their next meeting in round five, coming back from an 11-goal deficit at quarter time to win by six goals.
Despite losing their last four meetings with the Bulldogs, the Swans had their rivals in trouble in their only meeting this season back in round 11, up by double digits at half time.
With their backs against the wall, Avoca showcased the determination of champions, clawing back the deficit in the third quarter, before blowing their opponents away with a 12-1 run in the fourth to earn a nine-goal victory.
Despite the late collapse, Ryan said their first half performance will give the Swans some confidence ahead of this clash of the titans.
“They are a quality side obviously — they have lost only one game in three years, they are the benchmark at the top of the table so we will do everything we can and see what happens,” she said.
“We know we can do it, it’s just whether we can keep up that intensity for the whole 60 minutes.”