Sport
14 April, 2026
Carisbrook overpowers Trentham by 42 points in Grand Final rematch
Seven months on from a devastating Grand Final defeat, Carisbrook’s 2026 premiership aspirations began with a vengeance with a commanding 42-point victory over reigning premiers Trentham.
After being plagued by scoring inefficiency throughout last season’s decider, the Redbacks brought their goalkicking boots to Trentham Reserve on Saturday, led by a Tim Rinaldi bag, while the Redbacks defence locked up the high-powered Saints attack to just 41 points.
After starting 2025 dominated by Natte Bealiba on their own turf, the Saints now find themselves in familiar territory, looking to restore faith in their title ambitions after a convincing home loss in the Grand Final replay.
Before the opening bounce, both teams gathered to watch Trentham raise their 2025 premiership flag in front of their supporters.
Perhaps fuelled by seeing the flag that could’ve been theirs, the Redbacks dominated the first quarter, booting 5.1 despite wet and windy conditions.
After Trentham’s Cooper Webber-Mirkin slotted the opening goal of the contest following a strong Joel Cowan tackle, Rinaldi and Blake Matthews returned serve for Carisbrook with two successful set shots.
That began a game-setting run of five unanswered goals for the visitors, capped off by a Nicholas Wright conversion that gave Carisbrook a considerable 25-point lead at the opening break.
Carisbrook’s lead quickly expanded early in the second quarter when recruit Harry Butler pounced on a shallow boundary throw in and snapped truly to place the hosts in a 32-point deficit.
With the Saints’ chances looking as gloomy as Saturday’s drizzly weather, Ethan Spiteri looked to provide a spark with a brilliant effort that turned a holding-the-ball free kick into six points.
Trentham captain and 2025 Grand Final Best on Ground Joel Dovaston got on the end of a Jake Keogh clearance from the ensuing centre throw, kicking his team’s second in two minutes to cut the margin back to 22 points.
Brady Neill and Cooper Tatchell nullified the Saints’ surge of momentum late in the half with two goals, placing Carisbrook up by 35 points at half time.
After Trentham started the second half on top, a Neill intercept kickstarted a blistering counter-attack that Rinaldi finished, starting the third quarter with his third goal.
Despite Edward Fanning responding quickly with his first goal of the season, Carisbrook remained in complete control of the contest, allowing nine points as the lead expanded to 44 points.
With both sides scoring two goals each in the fourth quarter, Carisbrook was able to cruise late and officially start its season with a pivotal victory.
Elliot Brandon-Jones made an exceptional first impression in his debut for the Redbacks, named in his new team’s best players after a brilliant showing in the backline.
With a game-high five goals, Rinaldi joined Brandon-Jones in the best players alongside Lachlan Hull, Butler, Neill and James Allan.
After being named Vic Country’s Best on Ground in last season’s Grand Final, Alister Ferrier produced another great performance against the Redbacks to be named in Trentham’s best players alongside the tireless Cowan, Marcus Elderfield, Dylan Holden, Dovaston and Jye Adamson.