-By Nathan Dole
AN ANZAC Day match between Golden Square and Sandhurst kicks off the fourth round of the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football competition.
The Bulldogs and Dragons will play under lights at Golden Square’s Wade Street oval from 7.15pm.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
The Carly Geary coached Golden Square was kept scoreless in a 54-point loss to Castlemaine on Good Friday at Camp Reserve.
Sandhurst had the bye on the Easter weekend.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland-coached Sandhurst was beaten in the round two clash with Castlemaine by 104 points.
A win-loss tally of two-one has Golden Square in second place in the premiership race.
An attack which includes Emma Crossland, Sarah Mannes and captain Liz Watkins will test Sandhurst’s defence.
Key players in the blue and gold include Ava Barker, Mackenzie Bickley, Gemma Free, Taylah Moore and Lauren Suleiman.
Sandhurst’s squad includes Lara Bish, Sarah Baldwin, Annie and Ruby Campbell, Chelsea Reeves and Chloe Taylor.
The round will be completed on Sunday when two matches are played from 1pm.
North Bendigo takes on White Hills at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
The Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter-coached North Bendigo faced a tough task against Eaglehawk on Good Friday.
It was the Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk which marked a 129-point victory.
Best for North Bendigo in that contest were Maddie Jelbart, Maddison Mansfield, Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke, Quetta Holloway-Jinks, Roweena Ilsleyh and Nicole Brannan.
It’s been a disjointed run for White Hills which played at Eaglehawk in round one and has had consecutive byes.
A White Hills squad coached by Phil Murley includes Hannah Ripper, Oakley Turner, Nadia Peebles, Tahlia Kendall, Amelie Haigh and Courtney Coffey.
Bendigo Thunder takes on Castlemaine at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo’s Napier Street from 1pm.
Will be another huge test for the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder.
The Thunder line-up will be desperate to kick a goal or two.
Best in Thunder’s latest hit-out at Marong’s Jackal Oval in Malone Park were Maddi Brackenreg, Estella Murphy, Shastia Martion and Awhina Poki.
Castlemaine has started its pursuit of a fourth consecutive premiership in hot form.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies have plenty of run, skill and the ability to force many turnovers.
Players to watch in Castlemaine’s squad include Grace Brady, Amelia Britt, Brianna Burt, Hannah Cochrane, Jemma Finning and Maeve Tupper.
Eaglehawk and Marong have the bye.
Standings in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition:
Castlemaine 2131 per cent, 12 points; Golden Square 530, 8; Eaglehawk 262, 8; Marong 271, 4; Sandhurst 42, 4; White Hills 11, 0; North Bendigo 1, 0; Bendigo Thunder 0.3, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
6 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
6 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
5 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
5 Ella Cochrane, Castlemaine.
5 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
5 Emma Crossland, Golden Square.
Meanwhile, the CVFL under-18 girls competition kicks off Anzac Day when Golden Square and Sandhurst meet at Wade Street in Golden Square from 5.30pm.
On Sunday it will be Kangaroo Flat against White Hills on the Kangaroos’ ground in Dower Park from 10.30am.
Woorinen is on home turf against Strathfieldsaye Storm for a noon showdown.
Eaglehawk has the bye.