BY NATHAN DOLE
Castlemaine swoops to claim premiership hat-trick
THE Castlemaine Magpies capped another unbeaten run to premiership glory in Friday night’s grand final in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy grand final.
It was Castlemaine against Golden Square in the clash to decide the ’24 champions under the Queen Elizabeth Oval lights in Bendigo.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine had beaten the Bulldogs in both clashes in the home-and-away series.
The Magpies led 13-6 at quarter-time and then had a hand on the cup by half-time after they scored 4.2 and kept the Bulldogs to a goal in the second quarter.
The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square fought back to win the third quarter, 8-6, but the Pies held a 25-point buffer going into the final term of the season.
Led by Jemma Finning, Abbey Bertram and league fairest and best Maeve Tupper, Castlemaine scored 1.2 and held the blue and gold to a tally of two behinds in the last.
At the final siren Castlemaine’s players and fans celebrated a hard-earned 53-22 victory.
After joining the Magpies from Bendigo Thunder, Brianna Burt kicked a match-high three goals.
Vice-captain Eloise Gretgrix kicked two goals as captain Tiahna Cochrane, Lily den Houting and Rachael Stubbings were also on target.
Golden Square’s attack was led by Paynton Jolliffe on two goals as she finished a superb season with a league record 94 goals.
Victoria Winstanley was the other goalkicker for the Bulldogs.
The Winslow White Hills Demons kicked off a memorable weekend for the club by wining the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls grand final.
It was the Demons against Golden Square under the Queen Elizabeth Oval lights.
White Hills was fired up for this contest after Golden Square scored a 47-6 victory in the second semi-final.
The Bulldogs led 6-3 at quarter-time of the match which matters most.
By the long break the Demons had edged their way in front, 12-8.
Despite its inaccuracy in attack, White Hills was able to score 2.4 and kept the blue and gold to a goal in the second half.
Mia Clark was on target with two goals and Eve Cail added another as the Demons led 28-14 at the final siren.
Both of Golden Square’s goals were off the boot of Jayda Lockwood.
Best for White Hills were Nadia Peebles, Kiara Field, Jorja Morrison and Sasha Pearce.
Golden Square’s best were Gemma McPhee, Ella Gourley, Shelby Boldiston and Lucy Johansen.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL grand final scoreboards:
Senior women:
Castlemaine 2.1 6.3 7.3 8.5 (53)
Golden Square 1.0 2.0 3.2 3.4 (22)
GOALS – Castlemaine: Brianna Burt 3, Eloise Gretgrix 2, Tiahna Cochrane, Lily den Houting, Rachael Stubbings. Golden Square: Paynton Jolliffe 2, Victoria Winstanley.
BEST – Castlemaine: Jemma Finning, Abbey Bertram, Maeve Tupper, Lily den Houting, Beppina Marshall, Brianna Burt. Golden Square: Taylah Moore, Liz Watkins, Isabella Ayre, Kendra Ahearn, Victoria Winstanley, Claire Picone.
Castlemaine’s senior women’s premiership team of 2024:
B: Rachael Stubbings, Taylah Sartori, Beppina Marshall.
Hb: Eillish Cumming, Ella Cochrane, Hailee Browne-Kerr.
C: Lily den Houting, Maeve Tupper, Chelsea Cole.
Hf: Brianna Burt, Tiahna Cochrane, Georgia Gordon.
F: Tiffany Bradley, Bronte Ashworth, Eloise Gretgrix.
Foll: Emma Pedretti, Jemma Finning, Abbey Bertram.
Inter: Amelia Britt, Chloe Butcher, Rebekah Forrest, Georgia Gribble, Bella Phillips, Sheryl Rose.
Coach: Jordan Cochrane.
Captain: Tiahna Cochrane. Vice-captain: Eloise Gretgrix.
Under-18 girls:
White Hills 0.3 1.6 2.9 3.10 (28)
Golden Square 1.0 1.2 1.2 2.2 (14)
GOALS – White Hills: Mia Clark 2, Eve Cail. Golden Square: Jayda Lockwood 2.
BEST – White Hills: Nadia Peebles, Kiara Field, Jorja Morrison, Sasha Pearce, Jayda Alford, Mia Clark. Golden Square: Gemma McPhee, Ella Gourley, Shelby Boldiston, Lucy Johansen, Ava Barker, Mackenzie Bickley.
White Hills under-18 girls premiership team of 2024:
Jayda Alford, Eve Cail, Mia Clark, Chelsea Edwards, Kiara Field, Catherine Fry, Amelie Haigh, Ella Henery, Ruby Hilson, Tahlia Kendall, Imogen McLarty, Matilda Meersbergen, Jorja Morrison, Tarliah Murphy, Sasha Pearce, Nadia Peebles, Lily Rochester, Sophie Sarre, Rowena Stevens, Tayla Stringer, Ella Watkins, Reagan Wirken.