Marcellin breaks through with gritty first win of the season

Marcellin OC has opened its 2026 QFA Division 3 Brisbane North account with a hard fought 11 point win over Mayne under lights at Hickey Park.

After falling short in Round 1, Marcellin responded with a determined four quarter performance, showing real grit to hold off the Tigers and claim a 5.16 (46) to 5.5 (35) victory on Friday night.

This was not a night where everything went Marcellin’s way.

Marcellin finished with 16 behinds, and while some were missed chances, many came under the weight of Mayne’s pressure. The Tigers kept forcing contests, closing space and making Marcellin work for every clean look at goal.

But that was also what made the win so important.

Instead of being rattled by the missed opportunities or Mayne’s ability to stay in the contest, Marcellin kept battling. They absorbed the pressure, continued to defend, and found enough composure late to secure their first win of the season.

Zac Salter’s final quarter goal proved decisive, but the victory was built on more than one moment. It came from Marcellin’s willingness to scrap, reset and keep fighting when Mayne threatened to turn repeated behinds into a shift in momentum.

Marcellin made the perfect start, jumping out of the blocks with four first quarter goals. Harry Stevenson was sharp early, kicking two opening term majors, while Will Ford and Hunter Fidler also converted as Marcellin built a 26 point lead.

Mayne worked its way back into the game late in the first quarter through goals to James Kasch, Rory O’Shea and another Mayne major, cutting the margin to eight points at quarter time.

From there, the match became a grind.

Marcellin had chances in the second quarter, but Mayne’s pressure meant those chances rarely came easily. The visitors added five behinds for the term, while the Tigers made the most of their own opportunities through Liam Mulcahy, who kicked a goal and a behind to keep Mayne within striking distance.

At half time, Marcellin led by six points, 4.7 (31) to 4.1 (25).

The third quarter tightened even further. Mayne’s Andrew Gregg kicked the only goal of the term, giving the Tigers a major lift as they closed to within three points at the final change.

Marcellin, however, refused to let the momentum swing completely.

Behind after behind kept the scoreboard moving, but also kept Mayne alive. It was the kind of stretch that can test a side’s patience and composure, especially away from home under lights against a team applying heavy pressure.

Marcellin passed that test.

With the game on the line in the final quarter, Marcellin found the decisive moment through Salter, whose goal at the 2.54 mark of the last term pushed the margin back out and gave the visitors breathing room.

Mayne continued to press, but Marcellin’s defence held firm in a tense finish, restricting the Tigers to just two final quarter behinds and closing out an important 11 point win.

For Marcellin, the victory was built on resilience as much as scoreboard control. The first quarter burst gave them the platform, but the ability to steady late after Mayne had dragged the margin back to three points will be the most encouraging sign for the coaching group.

The win also sets up a strong early season test next round, with Marcellin away to the undefeated University of Queensland at UQ Playing Field 2, Base Architecture Meadows, at 7.30pm on Friday, 8 May.

UQ will enter the match with confidence after a commanding 11.13 (79) to 2.4 (16) win over Redcliffe, having opened its season with a 9.5 (59) to 8.11 (59) draw against Aspley.

Round 2 ends with Marcellin on the board, and with its first win of the 2026 season secured in a Friday night fight at Hickey Park. Next comes the challenge of taking that momentum on the road against one of the competition’s early pace setters.

Final score

Marcellin OC 5.16 (46) defeated Mayne 5.5 (35)
QFA Division 3 Brisbane North, Round 2
Friday, 1 May 2026
Hickey Park

Quarter by quarter

Marcellin goal scorers

Harry Stevenson 2
Will Ford 1
Hunter Fidler 1
Zac Salter 1

Marcellin best players

Will Ford was named Marcellin’s best player after a standout performance, with Lloyd Sheldon, Alistair McClure, Hunter Fidler, Tim Roper and Caleb Beattie also recognised.

Best: Will Ford, Lloyd Sheldon, Alistair McClure, Hunter Fidler, Tim Roper, Caleb Beattie.

Mayne best players

Mayne was best served by James Kasch, Andrew Gregg, Hayden Wilson, Rory O’Shea, Liam Mulcahy and Cameron Tyne.