CASTLEMAINE reign as premier in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition is under threat from Sandhurst in Friday night’s preliminary final.
A run at a fifth consecutive premiership by the Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine will be over should the Dragons win the showdown at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It’s a 7.30pm start to the big clash in which the winner progresses to the grand final against Golden Square.
Castlemaine has a two-one record against Sandhurst in this season’s meetings.
Both wins for the Magpies were on their turf at The Railway Hotel in Camp Reserve by seven goals in round three, and 27 points in the sixth round.
Latest showdown between the preliminary finalists was on the QEO where the Liam Ireland and Andrew Saladino-coached Sandhurst scored a 39-28 win in the 10th round.
The Magpies are on the rebound from an 11-point loss to Golden Square in the second semi-final played at Camp Reserve.
Key players for Castlemaine include captain Tiahna Cochrane, Hannah Cochrane, Alice D’Arcy, vice-captains Tiffany Bradley and Jemma Finning, Emma Pedretti, Taylah Sartori, and Aisling and Maeve Tupper.
Sandhurst will be determined to build on the momentum of its first finals victory.
Best for the maroon and blue in a one-point victory against Eaglehawk in the first semi-final in Castlemaine were Lauren Suleiman, Grace, Lily and Ruby Campbell, Chloe Naughton, and Sarah Baldwin.
Sandhurst’s squad includes Phoebe Cuttriss, Taylah Klemm and Charlotte Scanlon.
Preliminary final night kicks off at 5.30pm when Storm meets Eaglehawk in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition.
The winner will meet the unbeaten Woorinen in the grand final.
Storm was beaten by the Woorinen Tigers in the second semi-final at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve by 55 points.
Best for Strathfieldsaye were Akiva Morrissey, Chella Fitzgerald, Jordan O’Bree and Jorja Cunningham.
Storm’s squad includes captain Scarlett Ward, Rebel Connors, Gemma Fox and Rania Jackson-Leahy.
It was a must-win scenario for Eaglehawk in the first semi-final against White Hills.
The Hawks won 19-8.
Best for Eaglehawk in the first semi-final were Jessica Cox, Imogen Brown, Lana Ring and Matayah Leech.
The only meeting between Storm and Eaglehawk in the home-and-away series was in the 10th round.
Strathfieldsaye won 43-34 on the Borough’s turf at C and M Oval in Canterbury Park.
Captain Jessica Brown, Zoe Hodgskiss, Chalise McQueen and Kyah Spiteri will be keen to play well for the Two Blues.