BY NATHAN DOLE
Panthers claw way to thrilling win at North Bendigo
THE Marong Panthers clawed their way to a thrilling one-point victory at North Bendigo on Saturday night as the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition marked its 16th round.
The match between North Bendigo and Marong at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street capped a big day which included a reunion of the Bulldogs’ senior and reserves premiership teams from the Golden City FL season of 1974.
On the field it was North Bendigo which led 8-6 at quarter-time and 14-12 by half-time of the women’s footy contest.
Scores were level at 14-all going into the final term.
A point was enough for the David Blume and Jimmy Evenden-coached Marong to clinch a 15-14 victory.
Emily Campbell-Smith and Hannah Cue kicked Marong’s goals as Alisha Lourie and Nicole Woodman were on target for the red, white and blue.
Best for the Panthers were Alex Campbell-Smith, Bianca Bourke, Cody Clarke, Brooke Young, Katrina Alford and Dani Jeffery.
Maddison Hargreaves-Hale, Cassandra Coughlan, Heidi Schneider, Matilda Henley-Johnstone, Maddie Jelbart and Ajay Turner played well for the Ross Egleton-coached North Bendigo.
The round kicked off with Friday night’s match between Sandhurst and Golden Square at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square charged to a 20-7 lead by quarter-time.
An evenly-fought second term went Golden Square’s way, 8-6.
A tally of 1.3 as the Dragons added a point in the third meant the Bulldogs held a 23-point buffer going into the last term.
Golden Square scored three goals and kept the maroon and blue scoreless in the last to record a 57-14 victory.
Victoria Winstanley led Square’s attack on three goals as Paynton Jolliffe added two.
On a tough night for the Andrew Saladino-coached Sandhurst it was Piper Dunlop and Madeline Sexton who kicked a goal each.
Best for Golden Square were Courtney Hingston, Carly Geary, Claire Picone, Tania Kerrison and Kendra Ahearn.
Sandhurst’s best were Piper Dunlop, Chloe Taylor, Ruby Campbell, Karleigh Whyte, Katie Walker and Lily Campbell.
On Sunday it was Eaglehawk and Woorinen which marked big wins.
The Molly Metcalf and Geoff West-coached Eaglehawk won 192-nil against the Winslow White Hills Demons at the Scott Street ground in White Hills.
Drew Ryan kicked seven goals for Eaglehawk as Molly Metcalf added five.
Other multiple goalkickers were Shelby Faulkner, Eliza Long, Kelly Mensforth, Molly Pianta on three, and Lana Westaway on two.
Eaglehawk’s best were Drew Ryan, Eliza Long, Ellie Bailey, Cass Coleman, Emily Field and Kelly Mensforth.
Katie Wilkinson, Courtney Gibson, Kadeisha Smith, Keira Long, Hannah Ripper and Oakley Turner worked hard for the Phil Murley-coached White Hills.
At Woorinen the Tigers roared in a 181-nil victory against Bendigo Thunder.
After slamming on 7.6 in the first term, Woorinen matched that tally in the second.
The yellow and black scored 13 goals in the second half.
Nine goals by Courtney Wakefield earned best afield honours.
The Tigers also had captain Tenay Fellow kick six goals and Brydi Lewis chip in with four.
Other multiple goalkickers for the yellow and black were Samantha Johnston and Leonie Schulz, three; and Kobe Davison, two.
Best for Woorinen were Courtney Wakefield, coach Katelyn Hazlett, Tenay Fellows, Jemma Meehan, Sheridan Gallagher and Samantha Johnston.
Lucy El Hage, Alannah Leach, Emily Galtieri, Liza Jane Edwards, Hannah Perry and Marguerita Murphy were best for the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder.
Castlemaine had the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition ladder:
Castlemaine 824 per cent, 56 points; Golden Square 789, 48; Eaglehawk 230, 40; Woorinen 258, 36; Sandhurst 188, 32; Bendigo Thunder 55, 24; White Hills 10, 8; Marong 8, 8; North Bendigo 11, 4.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
80 Paynton Jolliffe, Golden Square.
44 Brydi Lewis, Woorinen.
41 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
38 Molly Metcalf, Eaglehawk.
37 Chelsea Reeves, Sandhurst.
35 Amanda Carrod, Sandhurst.
34 Samantha Johnston, Woorinen.
31 Taylah Moore, Golden Square.
30 Tenay Fellows, Woorinen.
28 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
25 Tiffany Bradley, Castlemaine.
25 Rachael Stubbings, Castlemaine.
25 Courtney Wakefield, Woorinen.
22 Lily Campbell, Sandhurst.
22 Victoria Winstanley, Golden Square.
19 Isabella Ayre, Golden Square.
19 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
17 Jaime Sawers, Bendigo Thunder.
16 Jenna Bannam, Woorinen.
15 Courtney Hingston, Golden Square.
15 Lacey Nihill, Sandhurst.
15 Molly Pianta, Eaglehawk.
14 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
13 Shelby Faulkner, Eaglehawk.
11 Ruby Campbell, Sandhurst.
11 Gabrielle Drage, Golden Square.
11 Maeve Tupper, Castlemaine.
10 Leonie Schulz, Woorinen.
10 Madeline Sexton, Sandhurst.
10 Aisling Tupper, Castlemaine.