Sport
5 May, 2026
Trentham repeats Natte Bealiba demolition
For the second year running, Trentham has conquered old rivals Natte Bealiba on their own turf, storming away to a 67-point victory.
Similar to their memorable 14-goal win late last season, the Saints seized control with an emphatic quarter, this time occurring in the first term with six unanswered goals.
Trentham legend Jake Keogh led the way with a five-goal haul, spearheading an attack that boasted nine individual goal kickers.
Meanwhile, the Swans’ distressing start to 2026 suffered another setback, desperately wanting to escape their losing rut when they play an in-form Newstead under the lights this Saturday.
In a much-anticipated clash pitting the last two premiers of the MCDFNL, it was the Saints who flew out of the gates.
Following his superstar Anzac Day performance, Joel Cowan was running the show in the midfield, while Dylan Holden, Cody Young and Jye Adamson also caused major problems for Natte Bealiba.
Trentham’s speed and carry across the ground accelerated the reigning premiers to a healthy 38-point lead, giving the Swans a lot of ground to cover after quarter time.
Thanks to the efforts of Daniel Vadala, Jaxson Stewart and Josh Grant, the Swans defence cooled Trentham’s scoring attack, opening the opportunity to regain some territory.
Natte’s midfield, led by Jordan Fraser, Ryan Semmel and Nathan Holt, also stepped up late in the first half, providing some belief in a major comeback as the Swans cut their deficit to 33 points at half time.
Those comeback aspirations hit several major potholes throughout the third quarter, as Trentham’s high-powered attack returned to a dominant flair of form with a stunning 14 scoring shots.
Despite 11 of those attempts resulting in behinds, the Saints kept their opponents to 1.1 in the third term, allowing the margin to extend back out to an unassailable 55 points at the final change.
Four fourth-quarter goals solidified Trentham’s convincing margin in the dying stages, officially securing a vital four points.
Keogh looked like he had turned back the clock to his 103-goal 2022 campaign, an easy choice in Trentham’s best players alongside Cowan, Holden, Young, Edward Fanning and Cooper Webber-Mirkin. Fanning and Regan added to Keogh’s offensive punch with a pair of goals each.
Vadala was unwavering in Natte’s defence in a tough defeat, listed among the best players along with Stewart, Kurt Mortlock, Grant, Anderson Pithie and Fraser. Semmell and Holt led the Swans’ goal-scoring with two goals each.