BY NATHAN DOLE
High stakes for Golden Square, Woorinen
STAKES are high as Golden Square takes on Woorinen in Friday night’s Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy preliminary final at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
A date in the September 6 grand final against Castlemaine is the prize the Bulldogs and Tigers will fight for from 7.20pm.
A 13-3 record in the home-and-away series meant Golden Square was in second place after 18 rounds.
Win-loss record for Woorinen was 11-5.
It was contrasting fortunes for Golden Square and Woorinen in last Sunday’s semi-finals at the QEO.
Runner-up in ’23, Woorinen stayed in this season’s premiership race as it marked a 37-13 victory in the first semi-final clash with Eaglehawk.
Courtney Wakefield led the Tigers’ attack on three goals as Jenna Bannam and Casy Unger were also on target.
Best for Woorinen were Jenna Bannam, Brydi Lewis, Courtney Wakefield, Sheridan Gallagher, Ngaire Hartlan and Madison Allan.
Lightning and heavy rain forced the second semi-final between Castlemaine and Golden Square to be abandoned.
Now the Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square fronts up against Woorinen which won the most recent match between these teams in round 17.
A great contest on Golden Square’s turf at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street ended in a 45-42 victory for the Tigers.
Woorinen coach Katelyn Hazlett was best afield and had great support from Jemma Meehan, Emma Peacock and Courtney Wakefield.
Goalkickers for the Tigers were Tenay Fellows, three; Samantha Johnston, Natasha Kelly and Courtney Wakefield.
Paynton Jolliffe and Taylah Moore both kicked three goals for Golden Square as Kate Douglass, Carly Geary, Paynton Jolliffe and Sarah Mannes were best.
In round eight, Golden Square marked the trek to Woorinen by scoring a 95-8 win as Paynton Jolliffe kicked seven goals and Taylah Moore booted four.
Other goalkickers for the blue and gold were Courtney Hingston, two; and captain Liz Watkins.
Best for the Bulldogs were Taylah Moore, Paynton Jolliffe, Gemma Roberts and Kate Douglass.
Sole goalkicker for Woorinen was Tenay Fellows who was best along with Ngaire Harlan, Tamara Loveridge and Emilie Ward
There is plenty of goalkicking power in both line-ups.
Paynton Jolliffe has kicked 90 goals to be a runaway winner of the league title.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs are Taylah Moore, 35; Isabella Ayre, 25; Victoria Winstanley, 22; Courtney Hingston, 15; and Liz Watkins, 14.
A strong attack for Woorinen is led by Brydi Lewis, 45 goals; Tenay Fellows, 40; Samantha Johnston and Courtney Wakefield, 38; and Jenna Bannam, 17.
Key match-ups for Golden Square in the preliminary final include Kendra Ahearn at centre half-back against Courtney Wakefield, Terina Pickering at full-back opposed to Samantha Johnston, and Tallulah Duffy against Katelyn Hazlett.
Players to watch for the blue and gold include Molly Forde, Sarah Mannes, Michelle McCready and Claire Picone.
Woorinen’s team includes Emma Peacock, Sophie McClelland, Rachael Booth and Jemma Meehan.
Friday night’s footy action kicks off at 5.30pm when White Hills plays Woorinen in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls preliminary final.
Winner will advance to the September 6 grand final against Golden Square at the QEO.
After finishing on top of the ladder, White Hills could not halt Golden Square’s run to a 47-6 win in the second semi-final.
Woorinen marked a 74-32 victory in the first semi-final against Strathfieldsaye.
This season’s meetings stand at two-one in favour of White Hills.
The Demons won 104-38 in round four at White Hills.
Next two showdowns were on Woorinen’s turf.
White Hills won 67-33 in the 10th round, but the Tigers roared in an 81-9 win against the red and black in the 13th round.
Leading goalkickers for White Hills are Mia Clark, 33; Nadia Peebles, 26; Tarliah Murphy, 19; Eve Cail, 17; and Amelie Haigh, 14.
The Demons’ squad includes Tahlia Kendall, Matilda Meersbergen, Jorja Morrison, Lily Rochester and Tayla Stringer.
Woorinen’s attack is led by Grace Ayars, 32; Sunny Barry, 20 goals; and Issy Boulton, 16.
Lauren Clarke, Eva Coffey, Issy Boulton, Meg Young, Nevaeah Roberts and Milla Stewart were best in the latest win for the yellow and black.