Sport
5 May, 2026
Navarre keeps winning ways rolling over Maldon
Navarre produced another dominant performance on Saturday at Maldon’s expense, swiftly moving inside the top four thanks to an 85-17 victory.
The Grasshoppers’ newly formed offence exploded for 48 goals in the second half, headlined by an eye-popping 25-1 third quarter that rapidly expanded the final margin.
Zanaiya Bergen capitalised on the hosts’ swarming defence with a game-high 51 goals as she continues to rocket up the goal-scoring charts in her inaugural season for Navarre.
While the Grasshoppers entered the match relatively unchanged following their 46-goal victory over the Giants, the Bombers called up defender Heidi Brookes and shooter Amy Jacobsen alongside the returning Laney McNeill, deputising for Gabrielle Kelly and Zoe Brown.
Despite the Bombers’ defence being solid in limiting their opponents to 16 goals in the opening 15 minutes, their Navarre counterparts were on another level.
Following a strong cameo in the fourth quarter the week prior, Grace Long slid seamlessly into the starting lineup as she, Jess Parry and Jade Allen conceded just five goals in the first period.
Looking to build upon their 11-goal quarter-time advantage, the Grasshoppers attack began to overrun their opponents.
Player-coach Sidney Dyer, Brooke Currie and Amber Perry were excellent in the midcourt, with Dyer and Perry rapidly moving play through the midcourt while Currie provided some delicious feeds to shooters Bergen and Aliza Lockhart.
Navarre’s offensive efficiency continued to grow after expanding their margin to 27 goals at half time, with the hosts producing one of the most impressive quarters of the season after the interval.
Parry and Long were exceptional in the defensive goal circle, applying relentless pressure on the Bombers with interventions that caused several turnovers.
Dyer and Perry turned those turnovers into golden opportunities for Lockhart and Bergen, who were ruthless as the Grasshoppers’ lead continued to climb.
There was nothing the Bombers could do to stop Navarre from stretching their lead to 51 goals at three-quarter time.
Similar to last week, the Grasshoppers brought on under 18 defender Chloe Cassidy to see out the final 15 minutes of a commanding victory.
After a difficult third quarter, Maldon remained persistent until the final whistle, with Sophie Zammit, Claire Kelly and Charlotte Harrison fighting hard in the midcourt.
Their effort couldn’t stop Lockhart and Bergen from finishing with 85 goals in an 68-goal win, with Lockhart complementing Bergen’s 51 makes by scoring 34 of her 39 attempts.
Alannah Furmston ended as Maldon’s top scorer with 11 goals, supported by McNeill on five and Zammit, who added one in the first quarter.