Castlemaine wins premiership in maiden season
CASTLEMAINE has capped its first season in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football league by winning the premiership cup.
The Magpies took on Golden Square in Friday night’s grand final under the Queen Elizabeth Oval lights in Bendigo.
Although it had beaten Golden Square in both home-and-away contests, Castlemaine had a tougher run to the grand final after the blue and gold won the second semi-final at the Magpies’ home in Camp Reserve by 34 points.
The Tiahna Cochrane-coached Castlemaine bounced back from that defeat to score a three-goal win against Bendigo Thunder in the preliminary final.
After a nervous start by both teams to the grand final, Golden Square led 2-1 at quarter-time.
Castlemaine’s play and confidence lifted dramatically in the second quarter as it scored 2.2 and held the Bulldogs to a goal.
A 13-point lead at half-time for the black and white became 27 by the last change after Castlemaine scored 2.5 to 0.3 in the third quarter.
The Todd Deary-coached Golden Square fought on to win the final term, eight-nil, but it was the Magpies who had handled the pressure and slippery conditions the better to claim a memorable 38-19 victory.
Goalkickers listed by Castlemaine were Jemma Finning and Shelby Knoll on two apiece.
The Golden Square attack was led by Jessica Cox and Tegan Williams.
Best for Castlemaine were Aisling Tupper, Tia Davidge, Jemma Finning, Michelle Barkla, Meg Ginnivan and Meg Tong.
Golden Square’s best were Ruby Campbell, Emma Gilligan, Tegan Williams, Liz Watkins, Carly Ladson and Keely Hare.
A premiership victory capped a brilliant season by Magpies’ captain Meg Ginnivan who was joint winner of the CVFL fairest and best award with Megan Williamson from Bendigo Thunder.
The premiership-winning team from Castlemaine:
Michelle Barkla, Hailee Browne-Kerr, Victoria Christie, Ella Cochrane, Tiahna Cochrane, Emily Cooper, Tia Davidge, Jemma Finning, Meg Ginnivan, Shelby Knoll, Beppina Marshall, Lily McMahon, Lily McNair, Mya Meemusor, Britney Oliver, Emma Pedretti, Katie Pertusma, Jessica Ross, Taylah Sartori, Bridie Semmens, Kylie Thompson, Elise Tolley, Meg Tong, and Aisling Tupper.
It was an incredible season by the Magpies who had won their first 13 games before a one-point loss to Thunder in the 14th and final round of the home-and-away series.
Stung by a second semi-final defeat to Golden Square, the Magpies then hit back superbly in their next two contests to prove why they were the league’s number one team in the 2022 season.
Written by Nathan Dole.
