Sport
21 April, 2026
Carisbook prevail in preliminary final rematch with Natte
In what was expected to be an exciting contest filled with twists and turns, Carisbrook took all of the excitement for themselves thanks to a Tim Rinaldi and Harry Butler led second-quarter flourish that powered the Redbacks to a 76-point win against Natte Bealiba.
With many former club champions in attendance for the club’s 1976 senior premiership reunion, the Redbacks latest premiership hopefuls booted six goals to one in the second term before blowing out the margin in the final quarter.
Now with back-to-back defeats to their record, the Swans will have plenty to ponder during their round three bye before another blockbuster encounter against Trentham in round four.
Despite their round one defeat to Navarre, Natte travelled to Carisbrook Recreation Reserve with some extra firepower thanks to the debut of highly-touted recruit Ryan Semmel and stalwart Trent Mortlock.
The Redbacks also had some key inclusions, with Harry Whitty and former MCDFNL junior represen-tative Harvey Rumpff coming into a squad fresh off a massive victory over the reigning premiers.
In a flashback to last season’s historic preliminary final played between these two teams, the opening quarter was a low-scoring affair.
While Natte’s defence, led by Kurt Mortlock and Aidan Medlyn, allowed just nine points in the first quarter, Carisbrook still managed to take a two-point lead into the opening break thanks to lockdown defending by Cooper Tatchell and Luke Jones.
With the Swans and Redbacks remaining closely knit after the first quarter, both teams were hoping to generate a spark and seize momentum in the second quarter.
Fortunately for Carisbrook, Rinaldi and Butler provided that spark. The pair had hands like Velcro in the contest, coming down with some sensational marks before converting the ensuing set shots to power a second-quarter surge for the Redbacks.
The Swans could only respond with first half majors from Jake Postle and Ethan Ross as Carisbrook took a 30-point lead into half time.
Despite Carisbrook continuing to bombard Natte’s defensive 50 to begin the third quarter, the Swans were able to refortify their lines, bending at times, but never breaking.
While being held scoreless in the third quarter, six consecutive Carisbrook behinds gave Natte a slender chance at a mammoth comeback, hoping to recover a six-goal deficit in the fourth quarter.
A team did kick six goals in the final term. However, it was Carisbrook who went on an offensive spree at the death, surviving several Swans inside 50s before Rinaldi haltered their momentum with a brilliant grab and goal.
Conceding a needless 100 metre penalty midway through the fourth summed up Natte’s afternoon, as Carisbrook cruised to victory with six unanswered goals.
Combining for nine of the game’s 15 goals, Rinaldi, who kicked his second straight five-goal haul, and Butler were clear inclusions for Carisbrook’s best players alongside Thomas Gardam, Tatchell, Jones and Anden Lever, who did a brilliant job on Trent Mortlock all day.
For his defensive prowess against the tide, Kurt Mortlock led Natte’s best players, joined by the ageless Stephen Ross, Medlyn, Semmel, Ethan Ross and Jaxson Stewart.