NORTH Bendigo’s defence faces the daunting challenge of trying to halt Bendigo Thunder’s attack in this Sunday’s third round of the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy league season.
Teams are back in action after the Easter holiday weekend break.
The Bulldogs will have home-ground advantage against Thunder at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
In a remarkable start to the season, Thunder scored a 146-nil win against Strathfieldsaye at Weeroona Oval and then headed north to Kerang there it beat the Blues, 104-nil, at Riverside Park.
Thunder’s star forward Britney Mueck opened the season with nine goals against Storm and then followed up with six in round two.
Mueck looms as one of many dangers to the team in red, white and blue.
Key players for the Jac Louttit-coached Thunder include Abbey Barber, captain Phoebe Cuttriss, Jessica Kennedy, Hannah Perry and Megan Williamson.
It’s been a tough start for North Bendigo.
A 146-loss at Eaglehawk in round one was followed by a 174-point defeat against Golden Square in the second round.
After marking its league debut with a 63-point victory on home turf at Camp Reserve, Castlemaine is drawn for the trek north to take on Kerang.
Stars for the Magpies in their round two win against Kyneton were Michelle Barkla, Ella Cochrane, Emily Cooper and Meg Ginnivan.
A talented line-up includes Jemma Finning, Shelby Knoll, Britney Oliver, Emma Pedretti and Bridie Semmens.
After a defeat from Thunder, Kerang forfeited the match set down against Kyneton on Good Friday.
Best for the Blues in their first game of the season were Jessica Searle, Jemma Meehan, Sophie Peacock and Maddy Price.
Kerang’s squad includes Kalie, Kendall and Zalie Ash.
Strathfieldsaye will aim to claim its first premiership points of the season when it hosts Kyneton at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Kept scoreless by Thunder in round one, Storm goaled through Lana Westaway in the round two clash at home against Eaglehawk.
Key players for the Jake Donegan-coached Storm include Lucy Gorrie, Jessica and Kate Kopp, Ireland O’Rourke, Chelsea Reeves and Keisha Tonzing.
Kyneton has had to wait an extra week to rebound from defeat as Kerang forfeited the Good Friday clash that was to have been played in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.
The Tigers’ best in the match at Castlemaine were Taylah Moore, Heidi Erasmus, Lucill Mitchell and Ursula van Dyk.
All of Sunday’s matches start at 2.30pm.
Eaglehawk and Golden Square have the bye.
AFLCV senior women’s footy ladder:
Eaglehawk 3700 per cent, 8 points; Bendigo Thunder 0, 8; Golden Square 17500, 4; Castlemaine 493, 4; Kyneton 20, 4; Strathfieldsaye 2.7, 0; North Bendigo 0.31, 0; Kerang 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Britney Mueck, BT.
7 Samantha Heron, Eh; Freyja Pearce, Eh.
5 Jasmine Burzacott, Eh.
4 Sharni Barker, BT; Emily Collins, GS; Lily den Houting, Eh; Michelle McCready, GS.
3 Amanda Carrod, GS; Phoebe Cuttriss, BT; Charlotte Edlin, Eh; Georgia Gordon, BT; Shelby Knoll, Cm; Jac Louttit, BT; Kristal Lugosi, Eh; Freyja Pearce, Eh; Mia Ward, GS; Monique Williams, GS.
Written by Nathan Dole.
