BY NATHAN DOLE
Newcomers clash in Dragons’ den
LEAGUE newcomers Sandhurst and White Hills meet in this Sunday’s third round of the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition.
The Dragons and Demons will play at Bendigo’s Ewing Park from 1pm.
After being dominated by reigning premier Castlemaine in round one, Sandhurst struck back for a big victory in round two on Marong’s turf at Malone Park.
The Dragons won 177-nil as Lily Campbell, Piper Dunlop, Amanda Carrod, Ruby Campbell, Lacey Nihill and Chesea Reeves led the way.
The Andrew Saladino-coached Sandhurst will be primed for greater pressure to be applied by White Hills team which marked its league debut by scoring a 101-point at Marong in the first round.
Other key players for the Dragons include Chloe Taylor and Maddy White.
Players to watch in the Phil Murley-coached White Hills team include Daisy Gee, co-captains Hannah Ripper and Oakley Turner, Kadeisha Smith, goalkicker Sasha Pearce and Britney Worn.
It’s an all-Bulldogs showdown as Golden Square takes on North Bendigo at Golden Square’s Wade Street Oval from 1pm.
The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square kicked off its season with a 75-17 victory under Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park lights last Friday night.
Captain Liz Watkins was best afield and will again play a key role against the red, white and blue from the centre.
A talented Golden Square line-up include Courtney Hingston, Brooke Hutchinson, Taylah Moore, Gemma Roberts, Paynton Joliffe and Tanya Walsh.
North Bendigo’s defensive workrate has improved dramatically across the opening two rounds.
Although beaten 63-18 by Bendigo Thunder there were many positives for the Ross Egleton-coached North Bendigo.
Quetta Holloway-Jinks will play a key role as rover.
North Bendigo will look for big games from the likes of Cassandra Coughlan, Kira Gibbons in the ruck, Maddie Jelbart, Heidi Schneider and Tanika Thomson.
Massive test for Bendigo Thunder against Castlemaine at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo’s Napier Street.
The Thunder and Magpies match starts at 1pm.
Outplayed at Eaglehawk in round one, Thunder struck back to win on North Bendigo’s turf at The Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street last Sunday.
The defence of the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder is likely to be kept busy against a Castlemaine team which has scored 42 goals so far.
The play of Shae-Lee Murphy Burke in the centre, Emily Galtieri and Marguerita Murphy in the key defensive posts, and rover Ruby Kelly will be crucial to Thunder’s chances of limiting the Magpies’ scoring chances.
Huge plus for Thunder is Britney Mueck in attack and the play of Jaime Sawers and Hannah Perry.
A formidable Castlemaine team coached by Jordan Cochrane includes Eloise Gretrgix and Tiahna Cochrane in attack, Emma Pedretti in the ruck, and Rachael Stubbings at half-forward.
Magpies’ recruit Brianna Burt will be keen to perform well against her former club.
Other players to watch for Castlemaine include Lily den Houting, Aisling and Maeve Tupper.
Woorinen marks its first home game of the season against Marong on the Tigers’ turf from 1pm.
The Katelyn Hazlett-coached Woorinen will be keen to bounce back after a big loss at Castlemaine in the rematch of the ’23 grand finalists.
Key players for the Tigers include captain Tenay Fellows, forward Brydi Lewis, Sheridan Gallagher, Emma Peacock, Leonie Schulz, Courtney Wakefield and Kerri-Ann Zeunert.
A tough run for the David Blume and Jimmy Evenden-coached Marong does not become easier with a trip north.
The Panthers will look to captain Dani Jeffery, vice-captain Hannah Cue, Nicole Grant, Kyrah Paxton, Caitlin Shaw and Regeena Torney to win their fair share of contests.
A key for Marong will be workrate when Woorinen has the footy.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 653 per cent, 8 points; White Hills 1542, 4; Golden Square 441, 4; Sandhurst 144, 4; Eaglehawk 138, 4; Woorinen 100, 4; Bendigo Thunder 61, 4; North Bendigo 19, 0; Marong 2, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
12 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
9 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
9 Samantha Johnston, Woorinen.
8 Sienna Hobbs, Eaglehawk.
8 Brydi Lewis, Woorinen.
8 Chelsea Reeves, Sandhurst.
6 Sasha Pearce, White Hills.
6 Tiffany Bradley, Castlemaine.
5 Isabella Ayre, Golden Square.
5 Lily Campbell, Sandhurst.
4 Aisling Tupper, Castlemaine.
3 Ruby Campbell, Sandhurst.
3 Piper Dunlop, Sandhurst.
3 Serryn Eenjes, Bendigo Thunder.
3 Daisy Gee, White Hills.
3 Lacey Nihill, Sandhurst.
3 Rachael Stubbings, Castlemaine.
3 Maeve Tupper, Castlemaine.
3 Oakley Turner, White Hills.
3 Freda Wosomo, Woorinen.
The under-18s competition kicks off with Friday night’s match between Strathfieldsaye and Castlemaine in Storm at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane from 6.30pm.
Storm is on the rebound from a five-goal loss to Sandhurst.
Castlemaine was beaten in the round two clash with Woorinen by 20 points.
Two other matches will be played on Sunday from 11.15am.
Golden Square and Woorinen clash at Wade Street in Golden Square.
In round two, Golden Square marked a big win on Eaglehawk’s turf.
Sandhurst takes on White Hills at Ewing Park.
Eaglehawk has the bye.
Standings in the CVFL under-18s competition:
Sandhurst 269 per cent, 8 points; Strathfieldsaye 150, 4; Woorinen 53, 4; White Hills 0, 4; Golden Square 0, 4; Castlemaine 36, 0; Eaglehawk 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
7 Nadia Peebles, White Hills.
6 Tiara Davis, Golden Square.
5 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
5 Mia Clark, White Hills.
5 Hannah Cochrane, Sandhurst.
5 Eve Kalms, Strathfieldsaye.
4 Ellie Bellenger, Sandhurst.
4 Lily Franklin, Sandhurst.
4 Evie Nuttall, Strathfieldsaye.
3 Freja Dahl, Strathfieldsaye.
3 Ava Franklin, Sandhurst.
3 Lily Mansfield, Golden Square.
3 Jorja Morrison, White Hills.
3 Sasha Pearce, White Hills.