– By Nathan Dole
SANDHURST will aim to maintain the rage across all four quarters when it tackles Castlemaine in Sunday’s second round of the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football competition.
All three of the league’s matches on Sunday start at 1pm.
The Dragons and Magpies will play at Ewing Park off Williamson Street in Bendigo.
Both teams kicked off the season by winning last Sunday’s matches.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland-coached Sandhurst kicked clear in the third quarter on the way to a 45-23 win on Marong’s turf at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Best for the maroon and blue were Arkie Donnelly, Charlotte Scanlon and captain Ruby Campbell.
Sandhurst’s squad for Sunday includes Scout Carmody, Chloe Naughton, Chelsea Reeves, Letisha Stewart and Chloe Taylor.
Pressure from the opposition will be much higher as Castlemaine chases a fourth consecutive premiership.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies kicked 25 goals in a dominant display on North Bendigo’s turf at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
Castlemaine’s attack was led by Eloise Gretgrix, five goals; Ella Cochrane, four; and Tiahna Cochrane, three.
The Magpies’ best included Jemma Finning, Amelia Britt and Brianna Burt.
Players to watch in the black and white stripes include Chelsea Cole, Evie Nuttall, Maeve Tupper, Lily Den Houting and Taylah Sartori.
Great rivals in any level of footy, Golden Square and Eaglehawk clash at Wade Street in Goldne Square.
The Carly Geary and Bec McLay-coached Golden Square kicked 34 goals against Bendigo Thunder at Weeroona Oval.
Kodi Jacques marked her return to the CVFL by kicking seven goals as captain Liz Watkins, five, and Emma Crossland, four, capitalised on many scoring chances.
Best for the blue and gold included Tania Kerrison, Ava Baker and Sarah Mannes.
The Bulldogs’ squad to take on the Borough includes ????
The Molly Metcalf-coached Hawks kicked off the season by scoring a 69-8 win on their turf in Canterbury Park against White Hills.
Best for the Two Blues were Lily Jenkins, Chloe Green and Kelly Mensforth.
An Eaglehawk squad led by Eliza Long and Emily Field includes Grace Edlin, Lucy El Hage, Shelby Faulkner, Lexie Moss, Shanae Sawyer and Lana Westaway.
Marong is back on home turf at Jackal Oval to take on Bendigo Thunder from 1pm.
There was a lot to like about the play of the Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke-coached Marong against Sandhurst.
Although it did not claim the premiership points, Marong was right in the game.
Best for the Panthers in the season opener were Nell Hamilton, Dani Jeffery, Hayley Martinello and Lauren Knight.
Marong’s team for Sunday includes co-captains Bianca Bourke and Hannah Cue, along with Nikeah Anderson, Bridget Chalkley, Alex Purdy, Jaime Sawers and Caitlin Shaw.
The Mick McInnes-coached Thunder had a tough start to ’25 against Golden Square.
Best for Thunder in round one were Stacey Barbagallo, Shasta Martion, co-captain Katherine Christie and Alannah Leach.
The Thunder line-up for Sunday includes co-captain Estella Murphy, Charlotte Williams and Samantha O’Meara.
There’s a high percentage of first-year players representing Bendigo Thunder.
North Bendigo and White Hills have a bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Eaglehawk 837 per cent, 4 points; Sandhurst 195, 4; Golden Square 0, 4; Castlemaine 0, 4; Marong 51, 0; White Hills 11, 0; Bendigo Thunder 0, 0; North Bendigo 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
6 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
5 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
5 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
4 Ella Cochrane, Castlemaine.
4 Emma Crossland, Golden Square.
3 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
3 Gemma Free, Golden Square.
3 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
2 Mackenzie Bickley, Golden Square.
2 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
2 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
2 Carly Geary, Golden Square.
2 Georgia Gordon, Castlemaine.
2 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
2 Rachael Stubbings, Castlemaine.