Sport
12 May, 2026
Natte dominate Newstead under lights
Natte Bealiba’s flying start to 2026 continued in a premier Saturday night fixture at Newstead Recreation Reserve, defeating the Steaders 73-16.
With 2025 A grade leading scorer Emma Ryan sidelined due to injury, Sian Mortlock picked up the scoring load while providing a great compliment to emerging teenagers Chelsea Ross and Eve Mortlock.
In an additional boost to a team cultivated from a thrilling two-goal victory over Dunolly the week prior, midcourt general Jess Currie returned for Newstead following a week’s absence.
Alongside the addition of Eve Mortlock to spell the unavailable Ryan, Natte Bealiba also called up Sophie McQuienn from B grade to provide more defensive depth.
McQuienn wasn’t required early as the Swans’ defensive trio of Naomi Medlyn, Ellie Martin and Chloe Ross replicated their shutdown perfor-mance against Trentham, conceding just four goals in the opening 15 minutes for the second week running.
Sian Mortlock and Chelsea Ross pounded on the extra opportunities provided by their defensive third, helping Natte Bealiba storm to an 18-goal lead by quarter time.
The Swans continued to shine under the lights, with their inter-changeable midcourt ensuring they were always two steps ahead of their opponents.
While the quarter-time substi-tution of Sophie Bond to wing defence assisted Amelia Britt and Layla Benson-Zepnick in slowing Sian Mortlock and Chelsea Ross, Natte’s defence remained stellar, keeping their opponents under single digits for the half as they entered half time up by 30 goals.
With the monster M’s of Medlyn and Martin dominating the first half, the Steaders elected for an offensive revamp to begin the third quarter.
Player-coach Laura Johnston moved into goal shooter to pair with Emily Cooper, allowing Caitlan Bird and Brianna Jury to share time at wing attack.
Those alterations did trigger a slight attacking upswing for the hosts, but not enough to challenge the high-flying Swans, who kept their foot on the gas with a 16-5 third term.
Boasting a 41-goal advantage at the final change, Eve Mortlock, who marked her 150th game for Natte Bealiba on the weekend, came off the bench to play goal shooter in the closing stages.
The teenager scored 10 in the fourth quarter as the Swans cruised to a comfortable 57-goal victory, led by Sian Mortlock’s 39 goals.
Following her stellar debut against Trentham, Chelsea Ross continues to look like a reliable scorer at the A grade level, finishing with 24 makes.
Cooper led Newstead in scoring with 10 goals, while Jury and Johnston added three each.