BY NATHAN DOLE
Top teams clash at Golden Square
TOP teams Golden Square and Castlemaine clash in Friday night’s start to Naidoc Round in the Champions IGA-backed senior women’s footy competition.
It’s second against first in the round 13 showdown on Golden Square’s turf at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street from 7.15pm.
When these clubs met in round four it was Castlemaine which won by 62 points on its ground at Camp Reserve.
The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square will be keen to show it has improved markedly since then.
Latest hit-out for Golden Square was last Sunday against Marong at East West Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
The blue and gold won by 113 points against a Marong line-up which had AFLW legend and multiple premiership winner Erin Phillips in action.
It was a one-off appearance by Phillips through the Carlton Draught-backed Carlton Draft promotion as the CVFL brought the round 14 match forward.
Gabrielle Drage kicked nine goals for Golden Square as the in-form Paynton Jolliffe passed the 60-mark by kicking four majors.
Captain Liz Watkins and Victoria Winstanley added two each.
Best in Golden Square’s 10th victory of the season were Molly Forde, Kate Douglass, Claire Picone, Brooke Hutchison, Victoria Winstanley and Gemma Roberts.
Strong defensive efforts will be crucial as the blue and gold strives to end Castlemaine’s unbeaten run.
Golden Square’s team includes Tanya Walsh at half-back, Carly Geary in the ruck, Courtney Hingston roving, Sarah Mannes at half-forward, and Taylah Moore at full-back.
It’s a daunting task against the Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies.
Key players for Castlemaine include Maeve Tupper in the centre, Brianna Burt, Tiahna Cochrane and Eloise Gretgrix in attack, Tia Davidge and Taylah Sartori in defence.
The Magpies’ on-ball division is led by Emma Pedretti, Eillish Cumming and Jemma Finning.
The round will be completed on Sunday when all three matches start at 1pm.
Eaglehawk will be back on its turf at Canterbury Park to take on North Bendigo.
The Hawks won the round four match at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo by 55 points.
Key players for a Borough team jointly coached by Molly Metcalf and Geoff West include Molly Pianta, Shelby Faulkner, Rhian Hobbs, captain Alex Summerfield, Mia Bolitho-Williams, Taylah Nicholson and Eliza Long.
The Ross Egleton-coached North Bendigo will look to Kira Gibbons, Roweena Ilsley, Maddie Jelbart, Aisha Mansfield, Kayla Brea-McIntosh and Hannah McKenzie to lead the way.
Bendigo Thunder takes on Marong at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo’s Napier Street.
Thunder beat the Panthers by 18 goals last time, but the margin is likely to be considerably closer this time.
A Thunder line-up coached by Mick McInnes includes Marguerita Murphy, Laura Stilo, Nikeah Anderson, Serryn Eenjes, Britney Mueck, Emily Button and Hannah Perry.
Best for Marong against Golden Square last Sunday were Alex Campbell-Smith, Regeena Torney, Bianca Bourke, Naomi Ridsdale, Gemma Woodall, and goalkicker Brooke Young.
The Panthers team is jointly coached by David Blume and Jimmy Evenden.
Woorinen is on home turf to take on Winslow White Hills Demons.
The Katelyn Hazlett-coached Woorinen Tigers will be eyeing their eighth win of the season.
Players to watch for Woorinen include Brydi Lewis, Tenay Fellows and Samantha Johnston in attack, Freda Wosomo, Jordyn Jolliffe, Jenna Bannam and Emma Peacock.
The Phil Murley-coached Demons were beaten by 200-plus points when they met the Tigers in round four.
Key players for White Hills include Kara Kane, Lauren House, Hannah Ripper, Kadeisha Smith, Rosie Davies, Trudie Newton and Olivia Basile.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 858 per cent, 44 points; Golden Square 1021, 40; Woorinen 243, 28; Eaglehawk 148, 28; Sandhurst 178, 24; Bendigo Thunder 50, 16; White Hills 14, 8; North Bendigo 13, 4; Marong 7, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
62 Paynton Jolliffe, Golden Square.
39 Brydi Lewis, Woorinen.
33 Chelsea Reeves, Sandhurst.
30 Samantha Johnston, Woorinen.
29 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
29 Taylah Moore, Golden Square.
28 Amanda Carrod, Sandhurst.
24 Tiffany Bradley, Castlemaine.
23 Tenay Fellows, Woorinen.
22 Molly Metcalf, Eaglehawk.
20 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
20 Rachael Stubbings, Castlemaine.
19 Isabella Ayre, Golden Square.
19 Lily Campbell, Sandhurst.
18 Victoria Winstanley, Golden Square.
17 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
16 Jenna Bannam, Woorinen.
16 Courtney Wakefield, Woorinen.
15 Lacey Nihill, Sandhurst.
11 Gabrielle Drage, Golden Square.
11 Courtney Hingston, Golden Square.
11 Maeve Tupper, Castlemaine.
10 Jaime Sawers, Bendigo Thunder.
10 Aisling Tupper, Castlemaine.
The 13th round in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition kicks off with two matches on Friday night.
Golden Square takes on Castlemaine at Fur Life Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street from 5.30pm.
Eaglehawk will be home at Canterbury Park for a 6.30pm showdown with Strathfieldsaye Storm.
On Sunday it will be Woorinen against Winslow White Hills Demons from 11.15am at Woorinen Recreation Reserve.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls footy ladder:
White Hills 329 per cent, 36 points; Strathfieldsaye 160, 28; Golden Square 231, 24; Woorinen 107, 24; Sandhurst 105, 16; Castlemaine 66, 16; Eaglehawk 7, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
28 Mia Clark, White Hills.
20 Alysha Boyd, Strathfieldsaye.
19 Tarliah Murphy, White Hills.
16 Sunny Barry, Woorinen.
15 Grace Ayars, Woorinen.
15 Tiara Davis, Golden Square.
14 Eve Cail, White Hills.
13 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
11 Freja Dahl, Strathfieldsaye.
10 Ava Barker, Golden Square.
10 Kate Batchelor, Castlemaine.
10 Ellie Bellenger, Sandhurst.
10 Chloe Butcher, Castlemaine.
10 Ruby Demeo, Golden Square.