Sport
2 June, 2026
Harcourt thump Natte in 84 point win
A 14-goal barrage in the second and third quarters powered Harcourt to a gratifying victory over old foes Natte Bealiba, winning by a convincing 84 points.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the undefeated Lions in the early stages, as the Swans adapted quickest to the challenging conditions.
Thanks to Saturday’s sporadic downpour, players struggled with their footing and disposal efficiency at a rain-affected CHS Broadbent Oval.
The weather didn’t dampen Natte’s aspirations of building upon their first win of the season against Maldon, getting off to a brilliant start when Jai Howell found Ryan Semmel inside 50, who quickly snapped the game’s opening goal inside two minutes.
The Lions struggle to develop their destructive transition game plan early, with many of their clearing kicks out of defence falling into the arms of a red and white jumper.
Once Harcourt eventually knocked past Natte’s attacking wall, they threatened to blow the game wide open with eight straight scoring shots.
Following several miscues partially caused by the hosts’ tireless defensive effort, set shots from Jed Rodda and Mitchell McKnight finally split the big sticks for the visitors, who led by 14 points at quarter time.
After both teams shared goals to start the second term, punctuated by a clinical Trent Mortlock finish, the Lions began to feast on the Swans.
With the likes of Sam Gale, Braydon Vaz and Mark Noonan beginning to rebound the ball out of defence with their run and carry, Harcourt’s loaded attack refound their kicking boots after the quarter time, kicking 7.0 in the second quarter.
Natte had their moments led by Kyen Burrill-Grinton and Jayden Brydon with three second-quarter goals, but the Lions were now in complete control at half time thanks to their six-goal lead.
Another seven goals in the third quarter virtually sealed the result for Harcourt, as the Swans struggled to contain all of the attacking weapons in the Lions’ arsenal.
Captain Thomas Walters and livewire forward Baxter Gurd were particularly electric around the goal for the visitors, who boosted their margin to a considerable 75 points at the final change.
The hosts did a commendable job of battling until the very end, but they now sit eight points adrift of the top eight after falling victim to another star-studded Harcourt performance.
Vaz, Gale, Walters, Noonan, Geoffrey Jolly and McKnight were named in the Lions’ best players, while Gurd and Rodda provided a valuable offensive jolt with five and four goals respectively.
Club stalwarts Mortlock and Stephen Ross excelled in several roles on Saturday, listed in Natte’s standout performers alongside midfield maestro Burrill-Grinton, Brydon, Jack Borchard and Aidan Medlyn.