Sport
14 April, 2026
Natte open 2026 with a thriller against Navarre
Natte Bealiba and Navarre battled in an early contender for match of the year in their 2026 opener, ending with the Swans overcoming a persistent Grasshoppers challenge.
With the hosts threatening to build upon their nine-goal half time advantage and put the contest out of reach early in the third quarter, Navarre produced a brilliant burst to cut their deficit to four goals heading into the fourth quarter.
The scoring of last season’s leading shooter Emma Ryan and the returning Sian Mortlock got the Swans over the line in a tense final term, finishing as six-goal victors.
After losing 63-35 in their meeting with the Swans last season, Saturday’s narrow defeat is a motivating result for the Grasshoppers, who look to elevate themselves into the competition’s elite.
Even as chilling winds swirled around CHS Broadbent Oval, the hosts found a comfortable groove early in the first quarter.
Star midcourter Ella Tranter and Ebony Raven routinely supplied chances for Ryan, who was breaking away from the Navarre defence with some exceptional goal circle movement.
Navarre’s fresh shooting tandem of Zanaiya Bergen and Aliza Lockhart immediately showcased their offensive talents by keeping the visitors within touching distance, trailing by two at quarter time.
After a competitive first quarter, the Grasshoppers elected to make some alterations to their midcourt, with Brooke Currie shifting to wing defence while player-coach Sidney Dyer and Amber Perry moved to centre and wing attack.
With a midcourt quartet of Raven, Tranter, Chloe Ross and recruit Darci Rodgers, the Swans began to overrun the Grasshoppers early in the second quarter.
After an impressive showing in her first quarter in over one and a half years, returning defender Naomi Medlyn produced some brilliant intercepts as she and the emerging Ellie Martin allowed just 10 goals in the second term.
Even as the introduction of Navarre defender Jade Allen slightly halted the hosts’ scoring, the Swans took a nine-goal advantage into half time.
Aiming to solidify their lead, the Swans moved elite midcourt defender Chloe Ross into centre while Rodgers provided even further protection at wing defence.
However, it was Navarre who captured the momentum to begin the second half. As Parry and Allen found ways to slow Mortlock and Ryan’s scoring, Dyer and Perry pounced on opportunities to break the Swans’ centre.
After the unbefitting conditions caused some shooting struggles in the first half, Bergen found her range in the third quarter, combining with the deadly Lockhart to drain 17 goals in the term as the Grasshoppers only trailed by four at the final break.
With both teams stressing security of the netball, the fourth quarter was played at a slightly slower tempo, giving shooters fewer opportunities to make a difference in the deciding term.
Fortunately for the Swans, Ryan and Mortlock held their nerve throughout the closing stages, keeping the Grasshoppers one step behind to secure a tense six-goal win.
After scoring a jaw-dropping 1214 goals in 2025, Ryan started 2026 in fine touch, scoring 43 of her 54 attempts alongside Mortlock, who dazzled in her return with 14 goals.
Lockhart was shooting like she was playing in an indoor gym, making 18 of 23 attempts in tough conditions while Bergen top-scored for Navarre’s revamped attack with 33 makes.
