Sport
21 April, 2026
Sharpshooting Maldon surpass Lexton by 16 points
Maldon proved too classy for Lexton at the Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve on Saturday, running out as 16-point winners.
While the final margin suggests the Tigers were in the contest, the Bombers were largely in control for most of the afternoon.
Lexton looked like a side still finding its rhythm, with skill errors and fumbles costing them throughout the game, while Maldon moved the ball with far greater composure.
The home side set the tone early, dominating the opening term. Ash Woodman was outstanding, booting the first two goals inside the opening 10 minutes.
His first came on the run after shaking off an opponent, while his second followed a strong mark and a late tackle that resulted in a 50-metre penalty, taking him to the goal line.
Lexton struggled to generate forward entries, managing just a single behind for the quarter when Brandon Green missed at the 22-minute mark.
Maldon capitalised again late, with Woodman finding Billy Johns, who goaled just before quarter time to stretch the margin to 26 points.
The second term was more contested, though still scrappy. Lexton lifted its pressure, but scoring remained difficult. Woodman continued to cause headaches, delivering a pinpoint pass to Harrison Tulloch for Maldon’s first goal of the quarter.
A yellow card to Callum Buchanan for a heavy bump opened the door for the Tigers, and Pat Parr took advantage, converting from the boundary for Lexton’s first goal.
Darcy Kelly responded for Maldon before Lexton added another via a 50-metre penalty. Despite the Tigers’ efforts, Maldon maintained control and took a 24-point lead into the main break.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with both sides trading goals and the margin unchanged at 24 points at the final change.
Lexton’s goal scorers in the third term were Brandon Green and Justin Kennedy, while the Bombers’ two goals came from Woodman.
Lexton showed plenty of spirit in the last term, finally finding some run and carry. Jaxon Thomas sparked the Tigers with two goals, while Will Maconachie added another as they won the quarter.
However, the damage had already been done, with Maldon’s earlier dominance ensuring a comfortable victory.
With his highest single-game goal tally over the past five seasons, Woodman was named among Maldon’s best players along with Matthew Gray, Kelly, Ash Humphrey, Xavior Noy and Coby Bennett.
Lexton named Thomas Cullinan, Thomas McGregor, Austin Corliss, Eric Wilkinson, Parr and Bryce Karslake as their best players.