BY NATHAN DOLE
BENDIGO Thunder will eye a boilover victory against Castlemaine in Friday night’s start to round 12 in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy season.
Thunder takes on the unbeaten ladder-leaders at Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve from 7.15pm.
It’s a vital contest for the Terry Burt and Hannah Perry-coached Thunder which starts the round a win behind the fourth-placed Golden Square.
Victory would put Thunder to the fourth rung at two rounds to go in the home-and-away season.
Defeating Castlemaine is a feat no team has achieved since Golden Square did so in a 48-14 result in last season’s second semi-final played on August 28.
Most recent meeting between Thunder and the Magpies was in round six when Castlemaine won the Indigenous Round match by 19 points at Camp Reserve.
Thunder had the bye last round, but the previous weekend won at Golden Square by 38 points.
Thunder’s best in the final match on the Sunday Showdown at Queen Elizabeth Oval were Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke, Brianna Burt, Isabella Ayre and Jessica Kennedy.
The Thunder’s line-up to face the Magpies includes Jac Louttit at full-back, Britney Mueck at full-forward, Ruby Kelly on a wing, and Stephanie McDonald in the ruck.
Castlemaine’s hot streak just keeps rolling.
Not only do the Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies have a powerful attack, but also strong defence.
Latest hit-out for the reigning premier was a 121-nil victory on Strathfieldsaye Storm’s ground at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Best for the Magpies that day were Tiahna Cochrane, Eillish Cumming, Eloise Gretgrix and Chelsea Cole.
Players to watch for the ‘Maine include Abbey Bertram at half-forward, Meg Ginnivan in the centre, Emma Pedretti in the ruck, and Taylah Sartori at full-back.
On Sunday, North Bendigo is back at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to take on Woorinen.
Massive test for the Bulldogs against the third-placed Tigers.
North Bendigo’s best in last Friday night’s clash with Eaglehawk at Canterbury Park were Quetta Holloway-Jinks, Hannah McKenzie, Maddie Jelbart and Kira Gibbons.
The North Bendigo squad is now being coached by Ross Egleton.
Woorinen dominated after quarter-time of last Sunday’s home game against Golden Square to win by 56 points.
Donal Fellows kicked seven goals in Woorinen’s latest victory and looms as a huge threat to North Bendigo.
Other players to watch in the yellow and black include Tenay Fellows, Carlee and Katelyn Hazlett, Casy Unger and Kerri-Ann Zeunert.
Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk clash from 2.30pm on Sunday at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
The Geoff West and Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk has achieved a win-loss tally of 6-3.
Sienna Hobbs kicked 10 goals in the Hawks win against North Bendigo to earn the High Street X-ray Player of the Week award.
A talented line-up in the famous Two Blues guernsey includes Grace Edlin, Chloe Green, Rhian Hobbs, Grace Murley, Freyja Pearce, Molly Pianta and Alex Summerfield.
Been a tough fortnight for the Tim McCormick-coached Storm which played Castlemaine last round and now meets the second-placed Hawks.
Storm’s best against the Magpies included Katrina Alford, Bridget Chalkley, Jessica Jackson, Dani Jeffery, Chelsea Reeves and Caitlin Shaw.
Golden Square has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 1008 per cent, 40 points; Eaglehawk 270, 24; Woorinen 232, 24; Golden Square 82, 20; Bendigo Thunder 165, 16; North Bendigo 8, 8; Strathfieldsaye 4, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
39 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
25 Sienna Hobbs, Eaglehawk.
21 Paynton Jolliffe, Golden Square.
17 Grace Edlin, Eaglehawk.
15 Donal Fellows, Woorinen.
15 Natasha Kelly, Woorinen.
13 Tiffany Bradley, Castlemaine.
12 Isabella Ayre, Bendigo Thunder.
12 Jaime Sawers, Bendigo Thunder.
12 Aisling Tupper, Castlemaine.
10 Jessica Kennedy, Bendigo Thunder.
9 Britney Mueck, Bendigo Thunder.