Sport
17 April, 2026
Lady Redbacks take major strides in defeat
The Carisbrook Lady Redbacks put on a great showing against East Point last Sunday, but couldn’t quite come away with a victory, going down by 25 points.
After losing their season opener to Redan by 147 points a fortnight ago, the Lady Redbacks travelled to Mars Stadium determined to showcase their competitiveness against a team they had challenged in recent meetings.
With player unavailability hurting their round one chances, Carisbrook welcomed back several key players last weekend, headlined by the return of Bendigo Pioneers squad member Rhani Evans.
Those additions helped the Lady Redbacks get off to a promising start against last season’s preliminary finalists, yet pinpoint accuracy in front of goal from the Dragons earned them a 12-point lead at quarter time.
Emboldened by their early efforts, Carisbrook came alive in the second quarter, clinically converting commanding passages onto the scoreboard.
Goals from round one standout Quetta Holloway-Jinks and the returning Mahli Stone were the rewards of a brilliant first half performance from Carisbrook, who reduced their deficit to just two points at half time.
With the Lady Redbacks breathing down their necks, East Point reasserted its control to begin the second half.
However, the relentless pressure from the Carisbrook backline forced many goal attempts to go wayward, resulting in the Dragons kicking 1.6 in the third quarter.
While East Point’s seven unanswered scoring shots allowed them to extend their advantage, their 14-point three-quarter time lead wasn’t as secure as they would’ve wished, opening the door for Carisbrook to earn an elusive victory.
However, two goals from the Dragons in the final term proved to be the decisive blow, with East Point winning 7.10.(52) to Carisbrook’s 4.3.(27).
Joining the team from Lake Wendouree, former Greater Western Victoria Rebels player Chelsea Jew starred in her Carisbrook debut, named among the best players alongside Stone, Chelcee Whittingslow, Olivia Butler, Holloway-Jinks, who finished with a team-high two majors, and Sherriden Byrne.
While the Lady Redbacks will be disappointed they couldn’t come away with a victory last weekend, they will enter round three full of confidence against Lake Wendouree.
After two close encounters with the Lakers last season, Carisbrook will be keen to open its winning account this Sunday at CE Brown Reserve.