Crucial clash for Thunder, Kyneton
STRIPPED of points from wins in rounds 14 and 15 has meant Bendigo Thunder face a huge clash with Kyneton in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy action this Sunday.
In the lead-up to this round, Thunder has fallen from second to fourth after it breached player points in a 29-16 win against Golden Square, and a 62-7 victory at Eaglehawk a week later.
Thunder goes into the match against Kyneton on 28 points and 532 per cent.
The third-placed Kyneton is on 32 points and 181, but has the bye in round 18.
Big winner was Eaglehawk which has moved to 28 points and 532, but takes on Castlemaine and Kerang in the final two rounds of the season.
The Jac Louttit-coached Thunder has home ground advantage at Weeroona Oval in Napier Street for Sunday’s match which starts at 2.30pm.
It’s the Tigers final game in the home and away series as they have the bye in the 18th round.
Thunder will be wary of the Tigers after Kyneton won 39-22 in the round eight clash between the clubs at Tigerland.
Best for the Phil Hawkes-coached Kyneton in that game were Teagan Ainslie, Rachael Williams, Taylah Moore and Shannon White.
Other players to watch in the yellow and black include Heidi Erasmus, Belinda Hateley, Natalie Korinfsky, Marnie Love, Lucille Mitchell, Shannon Prendergast and captain Jordan Savoia.
Thunder is back in action after the bye.
Key players for the BT line-up include captain Phoebe Cuttriss, Jacqui Graham, Imogen Kendal, Jessica Kennedy, Britney Mueck and Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke.
The play of Louise Bibby, Jessica Gould, Madeline Holt and Megan Williamson will also be a key to Thunder’s bid to claim the premiership points.
Eaglehawk takes on the ladder-leading Castlemaine in Saturday night’s start to the 17th round.
The Hawks and Magpies clash from 5.15pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
A 21-19 victory by Eaglehawk at Kyneton Showgrounds last Sunday kept the Hawks in the race for a top-four finish.
Best for the Geoff West-coached Hawks against the Tigers were Molly Metcalf, Kristal Lugosi, Lucy Dawe, Eileen Mitchell, Drew Ryan and Hannah Kenny.
Metcalf’s play earned the High Street X-ray Player of the Week award.
It’s a massive test for the Two Blues against the unbeaten Castlemaine.
In round eight, Castlemaine marked an 89-10 win on its turf at Camp Reserve against Eaglehawk as Shelby Knoll kicked five goals and Tia Davidge, Victoria Christie, Meg Ginnivan and Michelle Barkla were best.
Eaglehawk’s best in that match were Chloe Green, Lexie Moss, Kirstin Shaw and Anya Cardilini.
The Hawks will look to Jasmine Burzacott, Samantha Heron and Kelly Mensforth to lead the attack, and for strong defensive efforts from the likes of Eileen Mitchell, Grace Murley and Ebony Whiley.
A talented Magpies’ team coached by Tiahna Cochrane showed plenty of fight in a 44-42 victory against Golden Square last Sunday.
Players to watch for Castlemaine include Emma Pedretti in the ruck, rover Aisling Tupper, Lily McNair and Bridie Semmens.
Golden Square returns to Fur Life Oval in Wade Street to take on Kerang from 2.30pm.
The Todd Deary-coached Bulldogs dominated the round eight clash at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Keely Hare kicked six goals in the win as Charlotte Beavan, five; Jessica Cox, four; and Andrea Wilson, three, had plenty of scoring chances.
Key players for Golden Square include Amanda Carrod, Bree Heiden, Carly Ladson, Letisha Stewart, Mia Ward and Tegan Williams.
Kerang had the bye last round.
The Stephen Arthur-coached Kerang will look for big games from the likes of Kayla, Kendall and Zalie Ash, Jedda Birch, Amber Dastey, Laura Kirby and Casy Unger.
North Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye Storm have the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 722 per cent, 48 points; Golden Square 525, 40; Kyneton 181, 32; Bendigo Thunder 532, 28; Eaglehawk 213, 28; Strathfieldsaye 36, 16; North Bendigo 6, 4; Kerang 4, 3.
Written by Nathan Dole.