Sport
21 April, 2026
Navarre dominates Newstead by 80 goals
Navarre has produced a major statement following their narrow season-opening loss to Natte Bealiba by convincingly defeating Newstead 96-16.
Fourteen unanswered goals to open the first quarter set the tone for the Grasshoppers, who proceeded to score 20 or more goals in every quarter while simultaneously conceding four goals or fewer in three periods.
Their 80-goal victory is Navarre’s largest margin of victory in A grade over the last half-decade, looking to prove their premiership credentials early.
The hosts entered this game with some slight alterations as Grace Long came in for Brianna Hyslop and Sophie Flood. The Steaders also made two changes, with Layla Benson-Zepnick and coach Laura Johnston playing for Amelia Britt and Indiana Ramsey.
The Grasshoppers immediately channelled their round one disappointment into an awe-inspiring start, building a double-digit advantage before the Steaders hit the scoreboard.
Even after Newstead broke their duck, Navarre remained relentless with their swarming defensive pressure, rapid passing and off-ball movement.
Assisted by routinely rebounding their own misses, Zanaiya Bergen and Aliza Lockhart combined to make a mammoth 24 shots in the first quarter, while Navarre’s Jess Parry and Jade Allen led the defence to concede just two goals in the opening 15 minutes.
Despite finding themselves in a daunting 22-goal hole, the Steaders showed grit and determination after the opening interval.
Midcourter Jessica Currie, who worked extremely hard to try and get Newstead out of the blocks in the first quarter, began to find avenues to Emily Cooper and Brianna Jury in the goal circle.
While their offence was improving, Newstead couldn’t find a way to stop Navarre’s attack, as Sidney Dyer and Brooke Currie performed like a chance-creating assembly line for Bergen and Lockhart to capitalise on.
Despite a slightly more competitive second quarter, the Grasshoppers found themselves in dreamland after half time, leading by 37 goals.
Looking to make the most of an increasingly unsalvageable contest, the Steaders experimented with their lineup as they attempted to build fruitful combinations for the rest of the season.
The Grasshoppers showed no mercy to begin the second half however, pouring on another 20 goals in the third quarter.
Even after their persistent offensive flourish, Bergen and Lockhart somehow saved their best for last, scoring an eye-popping 30 goals in the fourth quarter to wrap up a memorable victory.
Bergen top-scored with 57 goals from a whopping 77 attempts, while Lockhart continued her hot shooting from round one with 39 makes at a shooting percentage of 81 percent.
Cooper, Jury and Johnston gave Newstead something to celebrate during a tough match, with Cooper leading with seven goals while Jury and Johnston added six and three respectively.