Sport
20 March, 2026
MDCA A Grade Semi-Final Preview — Colts Phelans vs Maryborough
It’s an all Maryborough affair in the A grade’s second semi-final, as Maryborough will take a short trek to Hedges Oval to play the title holding Colts Phelans in a landmark moment for the Owls A grade return.
Considering the roads these clubs have taken over the past two seasons, it’s quite remarkable that they will converge at the same point this weekend.
While the Colts are the defending champions, their 2025/26 iteration is uniquely different from their title counterparts, arguably for the better.
With the departure of Max Jackson, Regan Goundry and Charlie Scorer, the Colts were emboldened to bring in several reinforcements, which have boosted their depth and improved their game plan flexibility.
Their star recruit has undoubtedly been Asim Akhtar, a dynamic all-rounder who’s the only player in the competition to finish the regular season in the top 10 for runs scored and wickets taken.
The arrivals of Josh Collinson and Tarkyn Balzan have given the Colts a reliable source of runs, especially in critical situations, while Jack Gallimore has been an extra weapon to an already stacked bowling attack that has taken a stunning 132 wickets in the home and away season.
A combined 49 of those wickets have come from elite quick Nick Henderson and 2024/25 Grand Final Best on Ground winner Ben Evans, while the likes of Dayne Baker, Jack Mensforth and Wayne Stubbings have been potent when called upon.
It gives the Colts plenty of difference makers who can help them defend their A grade crown.
While the Colts were chasing their A grade premiership last season, Maryborough wasn’t even in the competition, with player unavailability limiting them to one senior squad.
After making the tough decision to withdraw from A grade so they could rebuild in A reserve, the Owls have flown back into the MDCA’s top division with authority, clinching the third seed following an electric start to the season.
The likes of Martin Dell and Ben Hoban have seamlessly acclimatised themselves back into A grade, but a new wave of Owls have helped Maryborough return to finals contention.
A key motivator for Maryborough to take a season’s sabbatical from A grade in 2024/25 was to promote the development of their rising stars. That decision looks to be paying off, as Jasper Trickey and Oliver Cassidy have emerged as key A grade contributors this season.
Similar to their nearby neighbours, the Owls have also made the most of the international market with three Englishmen keen to make their mark on the finals stage.
Even with a late-season slump, Oliver Bennett finished as the team’s leading scorer, giving Maryborough an injection of batting talent alongside fellow countryman Alex Burrow.
Elliot Ashburn has also been a very handy pickup, with the seamer topping Maryborough’s wicket-taking charts alongside Trickey and Hoban.
Boasting a perfect record against the Owls during the regular season, the Colts will enter this game as heavy favourites to return to the season finale.
However, digging a little closer showcases that Maryborough have been very competitive against the reigning premiers this season, keen to break their Colts voodoo on the biggest stage.
The Owls cemented themselves as contenders by making 7/215 against the Colts in round two before Collinson’s 86 and Balzan’s 67 got the Colts over the line with 13 balls to spare.
In a round seven rematch on an eventful Ron Sinclair Oval deck, the Owls were in good shape to defend 120 when their nearby neighbours were 4/25, but Luke Tatchell helped save the day for the Colts right at the death.