CASTLEMAINE fought back from a 10-point deficit at half-time to score a 43-point victory against Bendigo Thunder in Sunday’s match to complete round nine in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy season.
The Tiahna Cochrane-coached Castlemaine was aiming to stretch the winning run to seven when it took to Thunder’s turf at Weeroona Oval.
Thunder made a great start to lead 19-7 at quarter-time.
The Magpies won the second term, 8-6, but the Jac Louttit-coached Thunder went to the long break in front, 4.1 (25) to 2.3 (15).
Georgia Gordon had kicked two goals for Thunder as Brianna Burt and Britney Mueck were also on target.
Castlemaine dominated most of the second half.
Key forward Shelby Knoll went on to kick a match-high five goals and the classy Meg Ginnivan also booted two goals as the Magpies went on to win 9.14 (68) to 4.1 (25).
Not only was Cochrane rapt to have claimed another four points in the club’s debut season in the CVFL, but also the defensive effort to keep Thunder scoreless in the second half.
Best for the Magpies were Tia Davidge, Meg Ginnivan, Scarlett Orritt, jemma Finning, Shelby Knoll and Bridie Semmens.
Thunder’s best were Jessica Kennedy, Katelyn Hazlett, Jacqui Graham, Brianna Burt, Imogen Kendal and Hannah Perry.
Round nine kicked off under Friday night lights when Golden Square hosted Strathfieldsaye at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
At quarter-time, Golden Square led 16-7 and it scored 2.3 to a goal in the second term.
The margin surpassed five goals by the last change after the blue and gold added 2.2 and held Storm to a point in the third quarter.
Led by the play of Liz Watkins, Charlotte Beavan and Jayda Smith, Golden Square went on to win 7.16 (58) to 2.2 (14).
Talented teenager Keely Hare led the attack on three goals to be among the best with Jessica Cox and Arkie Donnelly for the Todd Deary-coached Golden Square.
Goalkickers for Storm were Lucy Gorrie and Paige Panczel.
Best for the Jake Donegan-coached Strathfieldsaye were Paige Panczel, Ireland O’Rourke, Eliza Long, Lucy Gorrie and Tracey Anderson.
In Friday night’s other match, Eaglehawk scored a big win against Kerang on the Borough’s turf at Canterbury Park.
The Hawks led 43-0 at quarter-time and 66-0 by the long break.
Toni Kelly goaled for the Blues in the third quarter, but it was the Hawks’ dominance through the midfield and stoppages that were key factors.
Molly Metcalf kicked five goals and Jasmine Burzacott added four as the Geoff West-coached Eaglehawk went on to win 23.15 (153) to 1.0 (6).
Best for the Hawks were Courtney Smith, Kelly Mensforth, Freyja Pearce, Molly Metcalf, Olivia Murley and Lucy Dawe.
Jessica Searle, Kendall and Zalie Ash, Yasmin Harrington, Rebecca Zerbe and Jedda Birch worked hard for the Stephen Arthur-coached Kerang.
Kyneton and North Bendigo had the bye.
CVFL women’s coaches, 2022 season
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 841 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 645, 24; Kyneton 178, 20; Bendigo Thunder 338, 16; Eaglehawk 207, 12; Strathfieldsaye 29, 8; Kerang 5, 4; North Bendigo 1, 0.
Pride Cup Round kicks off next Friday when Golden Square plays North Bendigo from 6.30pm at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Action is at Tigerland on Saturday night when Kyneton takes on Castlemaine from 5.15pm at Kyneton Showgrounds.
The round will be completed on Sunday when Eaglehawk faces Strathfieldsaye at Canterbury Park from 2.30pm, and Bendigo Thunder meets Kerang in a 2.30pm showdown at Bendigo’s Weeroona Oval.
Leading goalkickers:
36 Shelby Knoll, Cm.
28 Britney Mueck, BT.
15 Meg Ginnivan, Cm.
13 Keely Hare, GS.
12 Shannon Prendergast, Kyn.
9 Emily Collins, GS; Georgia Gordon, BT; Freyja Pearce, Eh; Jasmine Burzacott, Eh.
8 Taylah Moore, Kyn.; Mia Ward, GS.
7 Ella Cochrane, Cm; Lily den Houting, Eh; Charlotte Edlin, Eh; Samantha Heron, Eh; Lily McNair, Cm.
6 Sharni Barker, BT; Charlotte Beavan, GS; Jessica Cox, GS; Tia Davidge, Cm; Michelle McCready, GS; Emma Williams, Kyn.
5 Emily Cooper, Cm; Phoebe Cuttriss, BT; Heidi Erasmus, Kyn.; Jemma Finning, Cm; Molly Metcalf, Eh; Andrea Wilson, GS.
Next game in the CVFL practice match series is on Saturday, June 25 when Mount Alexander Falcons play Golden Square from 2.30pm at Harcourt Recreation Reserve.
Written by Nathan Dole.
Photo Credit – Castlemaine FNC Facebook Page