-By Nathan Dole
THE lights will shine at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve on Good Friday for the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy match between Castlemaine and Golden Square.
It’s a rematch of the ’24 grand final as the Magpies take on the Bulldogs from 7pm.
Both teams are in hot form.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine kicked off the season by scoring a 167-nil win at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo.
The Magpies then marked a 104-point triumph in last Sunday’s match against Sandhurst at Ewing Park.
As impressive as Golden Square’s attacking flair is, the blue and gold has conceded just one point in two matches.
The Carly Geary and Bec McLay- coached Golden Square followed up a 228-nil win against Bendigo Thunder by scoring a 64-1 win against Eaglehawk at Golden Square’s Wade Street.
There is plenty of running power and skill in the Castlemaine and Golden Square squads.
Key players for the Magpies include Brianna Burt, captain Tiahna Cochrane, Lily Den Houting, Jemma Finning, Taylah Sartori and Maeve Tupper.
The Castlemaine attack is led by Eloise Gretgrix, Tiahna and Ella Cochrane, Brianna Burt and Georgia Gordon.
In-form players for Golden Square include captain Liz Watkins, Jenna Bannam, Tania Kerrison, Gemma Roberts and Lauren Suleiman.
The blue and gold has Sarah Mannes, Liz Watkins, Emma Crossland and Gemma Free among the many avenues to goal.
Play on Good Friday kicks off 5pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park where the Two Blues take on North Bendigo.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk is on the rebound from a 10-goal loss on Golden Square’s turf.
North Bendigo had the bye following a first-round clash at home with Castlemaine.
The Hawks’ best against Golden Square were Lilly Stevenson, Lexie Moss and captain Eliza Long.
Eaglehawk’s squad includes Grace Edlin, Caitlin Evans, Shelby Faulkner, Chloe Green, Taylah Nicholson and Lana Westaway.
The North Bendigo team is jointly coached by Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter.
Players to watch in the red, white and blue include captain Aisha Mansfield, vice-captain Quetta Holloway-Jinks, Roweena Ilsley, Maddie Jelbart, Kayla-Brea McIntosh, Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke, and Marguerita Murphy.
It’s a bye for Bendigo Thunder, Marong, Sandhurst and White Hills.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Golden Square 29200 per cent, 8 points; Castlemaine 1793, 8; Marong 271, 4; Eaglehawk 97, 4; Sandhurst 42, 4; White Hills 11, 0; Bendigo Thunder 0.3, 0; North Bendigo 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
12 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
6 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
5 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
5 Emma Crossland, Golden Square.
4 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
4 Ella Cochrane, Castlemaine.
4 Gemma Free, Golden Square.
4 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
3 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
3 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
3 Carly Geary, Golden Square.
3 Dani Jeffery, Marong.
3 Georgia Gordon, Castlemiae.
3 Lauren Knight, Marong.
The Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition will kick off Anzac Day.
Golden Square and Sandhurst will meet in the Anzac Day match at Golden Square’s Wade Street oval from 5pm.
The round will be completed on April 27.
Kangaroo Flat faces White Hills on the Kangaroos’ ground at Dower Park from 10.30am.
Woorinen tackles Strathfieldsaye in the Tigers’ den at Woorinen Recreation Reserve from noon.
Eaglehawk has the bye.