IT’S first against fourth as Golden Square takes on Wedge-Tailed Eagles in this Sunday’s round 15 clash in Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy.
The Darren Walsh-coached Golden Square carries a 12-2 record into a 1pm showdown on its turf at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street.
Wedge-Tailed Eagles have impressed in their first season in the CVFL to be fourth in the premiership race on a seven-seven record.
When these clubs met in round seven it was the Bulldogs who won 62-1 at Woodend’s Racecourse Reserve.
The Bulldogs won last Sunday’s home game against Sandhurst by 109 points.
An attack led by Gabby Drage and Kira Gibbons will test the Eagles’ defence.
Key players for the Darren Walsh-coached Golden Square include co-captains Carly Geary and Liz Watkins, Lily Mansfield and Taylah Moore.
The blue and gold also welcomes back the height and skill of Karley Hynes.
Wedge-Tailed Eagles will be back on-field after Marong forfeited last Sunday’s match which was to have been played at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Players to watch for the Phil Hawkes-coached Eagles include co-captains Teagan Ainslie and Ayesha Nicholson, rover Demi Henderson, and Taya Barnett in the ruck.
The WTE team includes Jorja Bennett, Belinda Hateley, Roweena Ilsley and Courtney Johns.
Three other matches on Sunday will start at 1pm.
Castlemaine will be back on its turf at The Railway Hotel Oval in Camp Reserve to play White Hills.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies marked a 61-8 victory against White Hills in round seven in the Camp Reserve nest.
Castlemaine kicked off round 14 by winning last Friday night’s match against Eaglehawk at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park by 62 points.
Eloise Gretgrix kicked five goals and will test the Demons’ defence.
In-form players for the Magpies include Alice D’Arcy, Jemma Finning, Emma Pedretti, Taylah Sartori and Aisling Tupper.
The Demons dominated their home game in Scott Street to beat Bendigo Thunder by 124 points.
Captain Sasha Pearce kicked five goals as Acacia Edwards slotted four and Kadeisha Smith chipped in with three.
Carine Comer, Sasha Pearce, Kadeisha and Holly Smith, Maiya Pearce and Acacia Edwards were best in the seventh win achieved by White Hills this season.
A Demons’ team coached by Sharni Barker and Allara Jackson could end the day’s play back in the top four.
Bendigo Thunder faces Sandhurst at Weeroona Oval in Napier Street.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Thunder was thrashed at White Hills last Sunday as the Dragons were held to a goal in a 109-point loss at Golden Square.
Back in round seven it was Sandhurst which beat Thunder by 20 goals at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Key players for the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder include Jasmine Alcon at centre half-back, Ngaire Harlan at half-back, ruck-rover Alex Marshall, Shasta Martion at full-back, and rover Archie McLachlan.
Big roles for Thunder will be played by Morgan O’Neil in the ruck, captain Hollie Maher in the centre, and Helen Barclay and Rachel Salm in attack.
The Sandhurst team has Chelsea Reeves and Charlotte Scanlon in attack, Lauren Suleiman in the centre, and Sarah Baldwin and Chloe Swatton as key cogs in the defence.
A Dragons’ line-up coached by Liam Ireland and Andrew Saladino has the skill of Lily and Ruby Campbell, Eilish Grieve and Taylah Klemm.
Eaglehawk is sixth on the ladder on a six-eight record.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Golden Square 699 per cent, 48 points; Castlemaine 342, 48; Sandhurst 206, 40; Wedge-Tailed Eagles 207, 28; White Hills 112, 28; Eaglehawk 118, 24; Bendigo Thunder 5, 8; Marong 2, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
52 Gabby Drage, GS.
33 Kira Gibbons, GS.
23 Jorja Bennett, WTE.
22 Grace Campbell, Sh; Emma Williams, WTE.
21 Shelby Knoll, Cm.
15 Molly Metcalf, Eh.
13 Tiahna Cochrane, Cm; Gemma Roberts, GS; Seisia White, WH.
12 Brooke Cowan, WTE; Kelly Mensforth, Eh; Sasha Pearce, WH; Charlotte Scanlon, Sh.
Round 12 in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition on Sunday kicks off at 11am.
Match of the day will be at Woorinen where the Tigers take on Sandhurst.
Golden Square faces neighbouring Kangaroo Flat at Gourmet Pantry Oval.
Echuca United tackles Eaglehawk at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
Marong and White Hills will play at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Castlemaine meets Storm at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Standings in the CVFL under-18 girls footy competition:
Woorinen 600 per cent, 44 points; Eaglehawk 157, 32; Storm 134, 32; White Hills 112, 28; Marong 104, 24; Sandhurst 92, 16; Castlemaine 78, 16; Echuca United 84, 14; Golden Square 26, 4; Kangaroo Flat 5, 2.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
22 Matilda Rose, KF.
21 Prue O’Sullivan, W.
17 Zoe Hodgskiss, Eh; Etta Place, Sh.
16 Jada Dennis, EU.
15 Molly Austin, M; Ava Bartlett, Cm.
13 Stella Bibby, W; Lana Brooks, W; Alyssa Wardell, M.
11 Jayda Alford, WH; Maddison Collard, WH; Adele McNaughton, WH; Tianna Shay, M.
10 Jorja Cunningham, S’saye.
9 Charli Conway, W’neen; Kyah Spiteri, Eh.