A REMATCH of last season’s grand finalists Castlemaine and Golden Square highlights the Good Friday start to the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football season.
The league has marked three matches to be played under lights from 5pm, and the first of the season’s contests to start at 1pm on Bendigo Thunder’s turf at Weeroona Oval.
Castlemaine’s quest for a fifth consecutive premiership kicks off at 5pm at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
The Magpies are again coached by Jordan Cochrane.
Gun recruit for Castlemaine is Shelby Knoll who played AFLW for Richmond last summer and is now on North Melbourne’s list in the VFLW.
A strong squad to represent Castlemaine includes Tiahna Cochrance as captain, Tiff Bradley and Jemma Finning as vice-captains, Grace Brady and newcomer Alice D’Arcy.
At Golden Square, Darren Walsh returns to a club where he starred as a player and later took on the senior men’s coaching role.
Players in for their first senior match for the blue and gold tonight are Bianca Bourke, Shannon Colgan, Kira Gibbons, Karly Hynes, Dani Jeffrey, Maddi Jelbart, Lauren Knight, Makayla Roberts and Heidi Schneider.
The round kicks off at 1pm when Bendigo Thunder hosts Wedge-Tailed Eagles at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo’s Napier Street.
Both endured a roller-coaster ride leading into the season.
A concerted recruiting drive has meant Bendigo Thunder now has almost 30 players on its list.
Mick McInnes has stayed on to coach for a third season and will be assisted by Jacqueline Radnell.
Thunder’s squad includes Sharlene Cole, Hollie Maher, and plenty of new faces.
Wedge-Tailed Eagles will be aiming to fly high in their season debut.
The Phil Hawkes-coached team will be led by co-captains Teagan Ainslie and Ayesha Nicholson.
Other leaders for the Eagles include Bee Hateley, Luce Lenius and Mairead Murphy.
Great rivals at all levels of footy, Eaglehawk and Sandhurst will clash at C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park from 5pm.
The Hawks marked a great run in ’25 to reach the preliminary final.
Molly Metcalf will again coach the Borough.
Last year’s finals kicked off with Eaglehawk scoring a 13-point win against Sandhurst in the first semi-final at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Key players for the Two Blues in their club to a top-three finish included Lexi Moss, Mel Krause and Kelly Mensforth.
Sandhurst will be coached by Liam Ireland and Andrew Saladino.
Heat will be on as the White Hills Demons host Marong at the Scott Street ground.
The Demons have appointed Sharni Barker and Allara Jackson as joint senior coaches, and Koby Gibson as assistant coach.
Huge plus for White Hills was the signing of Keely Fullerton who has played at AFLW level with Gold Coast Suns.
The Demons’ squad includes Ella Henery, Nadia Peebles and Kadeisha Smith.
At Marong, Brett Carter and Reece Gregtrix team up as co-coaches of the Panthers.