CASTLEMAINE will be aiming to keep its unbeaten record intact when the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition hits the halfway mark this season.
It’s been a remarkable run by the Tiahna Cochrane-coached Castlemaine in its first season of CVFL action.
This Sunday the Magpies make the trek to Weeroona Oval in Bendigo where they tackle Bendigo Thunder in round nine from 2.30pm.
It’s first against fourth and a Thunder line-up on the rebound from a 17-point loss on Kyneton’s turf at Kyneton Showgrounds.
A powerful attack for the Jac Louttit-coached Thunder was well held by the Tigers.
On Sunday, Bendigo Thunder will aim to take control of centre breaks and stoppages and generate more supply for the likes of Britney Mueck, Sharni Barker and Georgia Gordon.
Thunder’s best against the Tigers included captain Phoebe Cuttriss, Louise Bibby, Jacqui Graham, Imogen Kendal, Jessica Kennedy and Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke.
Strong defence will be a key to Thunder’s chances.
Castlemaine was in great form as it won Saturday night’s clash with Eaglehawk at the Magpies’ home in Camp Reserve by 79 points.
Shelby Knoll kicked five goals against the Hawks and has a tally of 31 to lead the league’s goalkicking race.
Other players to watch for the Magpies include Michelle Barkla, Victoria Christie, Emily Cooper, Tia Davidge, Meg Ginnivan, Eloise Gretgrix and Jessica Ross.
The round kicks off Friday night when Golden Square plays Strathfieldsaye from 7.15pm at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
The Todd Deary-coached Golden Square dominated last Sunday’s match on Kerang’s turf at Riverside Park.
Keely Hare and Charlotte Beavan kicked six and five goals respectively in the 151-nil victory.
A talented line-up in blue and gold includes Jessica Cox, Bree Heiden, Carly Ladson, Liz Watkins, Andrea Wilson and Monique Williams.
Strathfieldsaye is back in action after a bye.
The Jake Donegan-coached Storm marked a 64-1 victory in the round seven match on North Bendigo’s ground at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
The classy Lila Keck won plenty of the footy and earned the High Street X-Ray Player of the Round award.
Storm’s best against the Bulldogs included Amy Cameron, Molly Pianta, Chelsea Reeves and Regeena Torney.
Another Friday night match tonight will see Eaglehawk takes on Kerang from 7.30pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
The Geoff West-coached Hawks have a 2-4 record and are eight points adrift of the fourth-placed Thunder.
Eaglehawk’s sole goalkicker at Castlemaine was Ebony Whiley.
The Two Blues will look to Chloe Green, Jasmine Burzacott, Anya Cardilini, Lexie Moss and Kirstin Shaw to lead the way to a much-needed victory.
Best for the Stephen Arthur-coached Kerang against Golden Square were Jessica Searle, Laura Kirby, Jedda Birch, Casey Unger, Kendall Ash and Britt Evans.
Kyneton and North Bendigo have the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 1075 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 692, 20; Kyneton 178, 20; Bendigo Thunder 576, 16; Eaglehawk 145, 8; Strathfieldsaye 30, 8; Kerang 6, 4; North Bendigo 1, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
31 Shelby Knoll, Cm.
27 Britney Mueck, BT.
14 Meg Ginnivan, Cm.
12 Shannon Prendergast, Kyn.
10 Keely Hare, GS.
8 Emily Collins, GS; Taylah Moore, Kyn.; Freyja Pearce, Eh.
7 Ella Cochrane, Cm; Georgia Gordon, BT; Samantha Heron, Eh; Mia Ward, GS.
6 Sharni Barker, BT; Charlotte Beavan, GS; Jessica Cox, GS; Tia Davidge, Cm; Lily den Houting, Eh; Michelle McCready, GS; Emma Williams, Kyn.
5 Jasmine Burzacott, Cm; Emily Cooper, Cm; Phoebe Cuttriss, BT; Charlotte Edlin, Eh; Heidi Erasmus, Kyn.; Jemma Finning, Cm; Andrea Wilson, GS.
Written by Nathan Dole.
Photo credit – Castlemaine FNC Facebook Page