BY NATHAN DOLE
PRIDE Round for the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition kicks off this Friday night at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
AFL Central Victoria’s footy operations manager for women’s and junior football, Nathan Williams said Pride Round was an important initative for the CVFLW.
“The Champions IGA Central Victoria Football League is proud to support CVFL’s Pride Round in celebration of diversity and inclusivity within the game and community,” Williams said.
“The CVFL encourages everyone to be their authentic selves while participating, watching, and enjoying our great game.”
The AFL continues to aim to ‘speak, act and celebrate with Pride’.
“The CVFL has supported the initiatives of clubs since the inception of the league,” said Williams.
“Pride Round is an extension of Pride Games played between clubs.
“We look forward to celebrate the round with each club celebrating the round in various ways.”
On-field it’s a Friday night showdown between the 2022 grand finalists on Castlemaine’s ground from 7.15pm.
Round 13 will be vital for the finals aspirations of Golden Square and Bendigo Thunder.
The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square is a win clear of Bendigo Thunder at two rounds to go in the home and away series.
Huge task for Golden Square in trying to break Castlemaine’s unbeaten run which stretches back to last season’s second semi-final.
On that occasion the Bulldogs beat the Magpies by 34 points at Camp Reserve.
Two weeks later it was Castlemaine which beat Golden Square in the grand final under the lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Most recent meeting between the Bulldogs and Magpies was in this year’s fifth round where Castlemaine won 58-2 at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
Goalkicking accuracy was a highlight as the Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine scored 13.4 (82) to beat Bendigo Thunder by 68 points in last Friday night’s match at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve.
The Pies led 21-13 at half-time and then blitzed in the second.
Major challenge for Golden Square will be stopping Castlemaine forwards Eloise Gretgrix, Tiffany Bradley, Tiahna Cochrane and Eve Sheehan.
A talented line-up for the Magpies includes Ella Cochrane, Jemma Finning, Meg Ginnivan, Emma Pedretti and Aisling Tupper.
Golden Square is back on field after a bye.
The Bulldogs are on the rebound from a 56-point loss at Woorinen in the 11th round.
Key players for the blue and gold include Paynton Jolliffe at full-forward, Tanya Walsh at full-back, captain Liz Watkins and Maddy White.
Golden Square’s midfield includes Rebecca Berry and Natasha Tile.
North Bendigo marks a club first on Saturday when the women’s team plays Bendigo Thunder under lights at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street from 5.15pm.
The Ross Egleton-coached North Bendigo will be determined to play well.
Players to watch for the red, white and blue include Cassandra Coughlan, Kira Gibbons, Quetta Holloway-Jinks and Aisha Mansfield.
The workrate of North Bendigo’s midfield and on-ballers will be crucial in terms of not allowing Thunder an easy run into attack.
A powerful Thunder forward line includes Isabella Ayre, Jessica Kennedy and Jaime Sawers.
Players to watch for the Terry Burt-coached Thunder include Acacia Edwards, Ruby Kelly, Jac Louttit and Hannah Perry.
The round will be completed on Sunday when the second and third- placed Eaglehawk and Woorinen meet at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park from 2.30pm.
In round five, Woorinen scored a 64-1 win at home against the Hawks.
Latest hit-out for Eaglehawk ended in a 121-nil win against Strathfieldsaye Storm at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
The Borough’s attack was led brilliantly by Kelly Mensforth and Sienna Hobbs.
Been a superb effort by the Geoff West and Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk to have a 7-3 record.
The Hawks will look to Grace Edlin, Lexie Moss and Grace Murley to continue their great form and lead the way to victory.
Big test for a Two Blues’ defence led by Eliza Long and Eileen Mitchell.
Donal Fellows kicked 10 goals in Woorinen’s big win at North Bendigo to earn the High Street X-ray Player of the Round award and will test the Hawks’ defence.
The Tigers’ attack also has Natasha Kelly, Tiana Shepherd and captain Casy Unger as key targets.
Best in Woorinen’s latest win included Izabella Palermo and Freda Wosomo in the midfield.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 955 per cent, 44 points; Eaglehawk 326, 28; Woorinen 282, 28; Golden Square 82, 20; Bendigo Thunder 136, 16; North Bendigo 8, 8; Strathfieldsaye 4, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
44 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
30 Sienna Hobbs, Eaglehawk.
25 Donal Fellows, Woorinen.
21 Paynton Jolliffe, Golden Square.
18 Grace Edlin, Eaglehawk.
16 Tiffany Bradley, Castlemaine.
15 Natasha Kelly, Woorinen.
13 Jaime Sawers, Bendigo Thunder.
12 Isabella Ayre, Bendigo Thunder.
12 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
12 Aisling Tupper, Castlemaine.
11 Tenay Fellows, Woorinen.
11 Jessica Kennedy, Bendigo Thunder.
10 Molly Pianta, Eaglehawk.
9 Britney Mueck, Bendigo Thunder.
9 Ainsley Taft, Castlemaine.
8 Charlotte Beavan, Castlemaine.
8 Molly Metcalf, Eaglehawk.