CASTLEMAINE has swooped to a fourth consecutive Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy premiership.
The Magpies played Golden Square before plenty of fans on Friday night at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
Defeated just once in the home-and-away series, Castlemaine went in as hot favourites against the Bulldogs.
The Magpies ability to win at stoppages and intercept the Bulldogs attacks were key parts of their game.
Castlemaine led 10-nil at quarter-time and 23-2 by the main break.
The Bulldogs goaled midway through the third term when captain Liz Watkins was on target from the pocket.
Castlemaine held a 17-point buffer going into the last, but the Bulldogs’ tenacity and the Magpies’ inaccuracy meant many in the Black and White Army were still nervous.
The Pies add 1.4 and kept the blue and gold goalless in the last two cap a 36-9 victory.
It was a memorable match and season for the Cochrane clan from Castlemaine.
Hannah Cochrance slotted two goals as Ella and Tiahna added one each.
The Magpies were again coached by Jordan Cochrane who has guided the team to premiership glory every season.
Castlemaine midfielder Maeve Tupper earned the CVFL medal as best afield and next day was on the netball court playing a starring role for Mount Pleasant.
Tupper and her Blues’ team-mates progressed to the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade grand final after a five-goal win against White Hills.
The AFL Victoria Country medal was awarded to Golden Square’s Carly Geary who played a superb match in the ruck.
There were many outstanding contributors to Castlemaine’s grand final victory and success across the ’25 season.
ACL injuries brought an end to the season for Magpies’ team-mates Eloise Gretgrix who had kicked 53 goals in 10 matches, and Brianna Burt who booted 31 goals in 14 games.
It’s been an incredible run by Castlemaine since it joined the CVFL in 2022.
The Magpies have won the grand final each season and achieved a winning strike rate of more than 92 per cent.
Three of the grand final wins have been against Golden Square, and the other in a clash with Woorinen.
The fourth grand final victory took the Magpies tally to 51 wins in 55 matches.
Castlemaine’s premiership-winning team of 2025:
B: Grace Brady, Taylah Sartori, Beppina Marshall.
Hb: Eillish Cumming, Bella Phillips, Aisling Tupper.
C: Lily Den Houting, Tiahna Cochrane, Chelsea Cole.
Hf: Georgia Gribble, Georgia Gordon, Hannah Cochrane.
F: Emma Pedretti, Ella Cochrane, Jemma Finning.
Foll: Amelia Britt, Abbey Bertram, Maeve Tupper.
Inter: Montanna Stevens, Abbey Klemm, Shania Kitchingham, Rebekah Forrest, Mia Martin, Evie Nuttall.
Grand final night kicked off with a thrilling under-18 girls match between Woorinen and Sandhurst.
An inaccurate Woorinen led 12-3 at half-time and 17-10 going into the final quarter.
Sandhurst fought back brilliantly and led by a goal nearing the halfway mark of the last team.
A goal by Tigers’ vice-captain Issy Boulton made it 23-all.
A Charli Conway shot at goal was rushed for a point and was the final score of the match as Woorinen clinched a 2.12 (24) to 3.5 (23) victory.
Goalkickers for Woorinen were Sunny Barry and Issy Boulton.
The CVFL medal was presented to Issy Boulton from the Tigers.
Sandhurst’s Leni Brown earned the AFL Victoria Country medal.
Best for Woorinen were Issy Boulton, Eva Coffey, Lanie Somerville, Charli Conway, Meg Young and Carly Shepherd.
Alannah Prowse, Kyah Spiteri, Ryah Mackie, Leni Brown, Mia Maxted and Chloe Tweed played well for the maroon and blue.
Woorinen’s under-18 girls premiership team of 2025:
Tyler Arnett, Sunny Barry, Stella Bibby, Ruby Butler, Issy Boulton, Lauren Clarke, Eva Coffey, Charli Conway, Mayla Conway, Hollie Everett, Mia Ferguson, Erin Johnston, Madison Johnston, Chloe Lovell, Carly Shepherd, Lanie Somerville, Sienna Spence, Jenna Stewart, Milla Stewart, Holly Thomson, Ruby Tierney, and Meg Young.