BY NATHAN DOLE
THE Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy league will run a triple-header of matches at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval this Sunday.
A great day of 10th round action features top teams Castlemaine and Woorinen, plus North Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye chasing their second or first wins of the season.
Third and final match will be the clash of the fourth and fifth-placed Golden Square and Bendigo Thunder.
Football operations manager for junior/women’s, Nathan Williams said the CVFL was rapt to again be hosting matches at the QEO.
“It’s our first time at the QEO this year after a successful grand final between Castlemaine and Golden Square was played under the lights in 2022,” Williams said.
“The QEO is an iconic ground for the region and it’s a great opportunity to have all round 10 matches at the venue,” he said of being in the centre of Bendigo.
“The league worked with the City of Greater Bendigo around the idea of staging three matches at the ground and are excited to be hosting the Senior Women’s Showdown.”
First-up will be North Bendigo against Strathfieldsaye Storm at 10.30am.
When these clubs met in round four it was North Bendigo which ended a long-running streak of defeats by marking a 23-21 victory on Storm’s turf at Strathfieldsaye’s Triple M Park.
On that day the Ross Egleton-coached North Bendigo led 14-7 at quarter-time, and 15-8 at half-time.
The red, white and blue led 16-9 going into the final term.
Although the Tim McCormick-coached Storm scored 2.0 to 1.1 in the last it was the Bulldogs who held on for a hard-fought victory.
North Bendigo’s best in that contest were Kira Gibbons, Maddie Jelbart, Kayla-Brea McIntosh, and Maddison Hargreaves-Hale.
This season’s squad includes Matilda Henley-Johnstone, Quetta Holloway-Jinks, Tanika Thomson.
North Bendigo is back in action after last weekend’s bye.
Latest hit-out for Storm was the Pink Round match against Golden Square at Triple M Park.
The Storm was beaten by 83 points as Hannah Cue, Chelsea Reeves, Melissa Freestone and Jessica Jackson were best.
Strathfieldsaye’s squad includes captain Tracey Anderson, Katrina Alford and Tanika Briggs.
The unbeaten Castlemaine takes on second-placed Woorinen from 12.30pm in Sunday’s Showdown at the QEO.
“Castlemaine has not taken a backwards step since entering the league in 2022,” Williams said.
The Magpies capped an incredible debut season by winning the premiership cup.
“The club is a great addition to the league and all the team, coaches, volunteers and supporters are super proud and passionate about football for everyone in the region.”
Castlemaine won last Friday night’s Pink Round match on Eaglehawk’s turf by 45 points.
Best for the Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies were Abbey Bertram, Tiahna Cochrane, Ainsley Taft and Lily den Houting.
A powerful attack representing Castlemaine includes captain Eloise Gretgrix, Ainsley Taft and Meg Ginnivan.
Joint league best and fairest in ’22, Meg Ginnivan has played the past two matches for the Magpies.
This season is Woorinen’s first in the CVFL senior women’s league.
“Woorinen has a proud history of female football, with a youth girls team being involved with the Bendigo Junior Football League since 2015,” Williams said.
“The introduction of a team in the senior women’s competition has been amazing.
“Woorinen has a strong club culture and is well-organised on and off the field.”
In round four, Woorinen was beaten, 23-73 by Castlemaine at Tigerland.
“The Tigers have been extremely competitive and will be a contender in the finals series,” Williams said.
Woorinen heads to Bendigo following an 89-12 win against Bendigo Thunder in Pink Round.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include Donal and Tenay Fellows, Carlee Hazlett, Madeleine Jeans, Remi Maher and Freda Wosomo.
It’s a crucial match between Golden Square and Bendigo Thunder from 2.30pm this Sunday.
The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square is fourth on a 5-3 record.
Win and last season’s runner-up gains a three-game break on Thunder in the duel for a finals berth.
In round four, Golden Square marked a 22-10 victory on Bendigo Thunder’s turf at Weeroona Oval.
The Bulldogs were in fine form as they dominated last Friday night’s match at Strathfieldsaye.
Key players in the blue and gold include Rebecca Berry, Olivai Hogg, Paynton Jolliffe and Katie Walker.
Golden Square’s squad includes Natasha Tile, captain Liz Watkins, and Maddy White.
Thunder is on the rebound from a big loss at Woorinen.
Key players for the Terry Burt-coached Thunder include Nikeah Anderson, Ruby Kelly, Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke, Marguerita Murphy, Hannah Perry and Jaime Sawers.
Talented forward Isabella Ayre did not play at Woorinen, so her inclusion for this match will be a massive plus for Thunder.
It’s a bye for the third-placed Eaglehawk.
“Each year the Eaglehawk team keeps getting better,” Williams said.
“Coaches Geoff West and Molly Metcalf have a strong group who love the game and the competition.
“The Borough girls are a force and one to watch when the finals roll around.”
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 905 per cent, 32 points; Woorinen 393, 20; Eaglehawk 206, 20; Golden Square 110, 20; Bendigo Thunder 157, 12; North Bendigo 5, 4; Strathfieldsaye 3, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
27 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
17 Paynton Jolliffe, Golden Square.
16 Sienna Hobbs, Eaglehawk.
15 Natasha Kelly, Woorinen.
13 Grace Edlin, Eaglehawk.
12 Aisling Tupper, Castlemaine.
10 Jessica Kennedy, Bendigo Thunder.
10 Jaime Sawers, Bendigo Thunder.
9 Isabella Ayre, Bendigo Thunder.
8 Charlotte Beavan, Castlemaine.
8 Tiffany Bradley, Castlemaine.
8 Donal Fellows, Woorinen.
7 Ella Cochrane, Castlemaine.
7 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
7 Keely Fullerton, Eaglehawk.
7 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
7 Britney Mueck, Bendigo Thunder.
7 Leonie Schulz, Woorinen.
7 Ainsley Taft, Castlemaine.
6 Jo Allan, Castlemaine.
6 Nikeah Anderson, Bendigo Thunder.
6 Jasmine Burzacott, Eaglehawk.
6 Tenay Fellows, Woorinen.
6 Molly Metcalf, Eaglehawk.