-By Nathan Dole
IT’S the battle of the Bulldogs from Golden Square and North Bendigo in Friday night’s round seven clash in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football season.
Second in the premiership race, Golden Square has home-ground advantage on the Wade Street ground when the match starts at 7pm.
North Bendigo is aiming for a hat-trick of wins following its success against White Hills and Bendigo Thunder.
Golden Square will be confident of marking its sixth wins of the season.
Players to watch in the blue and gold include Gabby Drage, Emma Gilligan, Sarah Mannes, Terina Pickering, Tanya Walsh, and captain Liz Watkins.
The Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter-coached North Bendigo teamed brilliantly to score 111 points in last Sunday’s match against Bendigo Thunder at Weeroona Oval.
In-form players for the red, white and blue include Maddison Mansfield, Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke, Heidi Schneider and Sarah Thompson.
North Bendigo is led by captain Aisha Mansfield and vice-captain Quetta Holloway-Jinks.
Friday night’s other match will be at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park where the Hawks take on Bendigo Thunder from 7.15pm.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk has a three-one record and is perched on the ladder’s third rung.
The Hawks had the bye last round.
Most recent hit-out for the Two Blues ended in a 61-2 win against Marong at Canterbury Park in round five.
Key players for the Hawks include Lucy El Hage, Caitlin Evans, captain Emily Field, Kelly Mensforth, Lexie Moss, and Abbey Willcox.
It’s been a tough season for Thunder’s players, coach Mick McInnes and the fans.
Thunder’s on-field leaders are Katherine Christie, Estella Murphy and Alannah Leach.
The Thunder line-up bound for the Borough includes Stacey Barbagallo, Hollie Maher and Samantha O’Meara.
Round seven will be completed on Sunday when Sandhurst faces White Hills from 1pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland-coached Sandhurst is fourth on a two-two record.
Sandhurst’s best in the round five win against Bendigo Thunder on the QEO turf were Sarah Baldwin, Scout Carmody, captain Ruby Campbell and Chelsea Reeves.
The Dragons’ squad includes Chloe Naughton and Letisha Stewart.
Another big test for the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons team coached by Phil Murley.
Players to watch in the red and b lack include Oakley Turner, Tahlia Kendall, Nadia Peebles, Acacia and Chelsea Edwards, and Sharni Whitmore.
Castlemaine and Marong have a bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 1981 per cent, 20 points; Golden Square 757, 20; Eaglehawk 332, 12; Sandhurst 104, 8; North Bendigo 48, 8; Marong 71, 4; White Hills 21, 0; Bendigo Thunder 1, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
13 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
11 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
10 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
9 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
9 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
8 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
8 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
7 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
Meanwhile, round four in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition kicks off with Friday night’s match between Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye at Canterbury Park.
The showdown between the Hawks and Storm will start at 5.30pm.
There will be two matches on Sunday from 11.15am.
Sandhurst plays White Hills at Queen Elizabeth Oval, and Golden Square takes on Kangaroo Flat at Wade Street Oval.
Woorinen has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls ladder:
Woorinen 1842 per cent, 12 points, 100 match ratio; Golden Square 486, 12, 100; White Hills 181, 4, 50; Eaglehawk 39, 4, 50; Sandhurst 159, 4, 33; Kangaroo Flat 3, 0, 0; Strathfieldsaye 2, 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
12 Sunny Barry, Woorinen.
11 Charli Conway, Woorinen.
9 Tarliah Murphy, White Hills.
9 Chloe Tweed, Sandhurst.
8 Sophie O’Connell, White Hills.
6 Lily Mansfield, Golden Square.
5 Lucy Gilbee, Golden Square.
5 Ryah Mackie, Sandhurst.
5 Mia Maxted, Sandhurst.
5 Carly Shepherd, Woorinen.
5 Meg Young, Woorinen.