A FRIDAY night showdown between Eaglehawk and Castlemaine kicks off this weekend’s Pride Round across the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football competition.
It’s third against first as the Hawks and Magpies contest the opening match in the 15th round at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park from 7.15pm.
When these clubs met in round nine it was Castlemaine which marked a 60-33 victory on its Camp Reserve ground against the Hawks.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk faces a huge challenge, especially in limiting the Magpies’ run through midfield and powerful attack.
As the Hawks had the bye last weekend, Castlemaine won 148-nil in a Saturday night match with North Bendigo.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine dominated under the Bendigo Club Oval lights in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
This round it’s an Eaglehawk defence led by Krystal Robinson, Lexie Moss and captain Eliza Long which takes on Castlemaine’s gun forwards Eloise Gretgrix, Brianna Burt and Georgia Gordon.
On-ball contests will be pivotal in this match.
Eaglehawk has Molly Metcalf, Lucy El Hage, Caitlin Evans and Grace Edlin to team up for the centre clearances against Amelia Britt, Jemma Finning, Tiahna Cochrane and Maeve Tupper.
In attack the Borough will look to Shelby Faulkner, Samantha Johnston and Freyja Pearce to capitalise on chances.
Their task will not be easy against Magpies’ defenders Chelsea Cole, Eillish Cumming and Taylah Sartori.
Three matches will be played from 1pm on Sunday to complete Pride Round.
North Bendigo will be back at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to play Sandhurst.
In round nine it was Sandhurst which scored a 34-10 win against North Bendigo on the QEO.
Key players for the Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter-coached North Bendigo include Cassanda Coughlan, Kira Gibbons, Marguerita Murphy and Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke.
Sandhurst rolls into this match following a 47-21 win against Marong.
Players to watch in the maroon and blue include Scout Carmody, Arkie Donnelly, Ruby Campbell, Amanda Carrod and Chloe Swatton.
The Sandhurst team is jointly coached by Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland.
Golden Square will be on its turf in Wade Street to play Bendigo Thunder.
The Carly Geary and Bec McLay-coached Golden Square kicked off this season with a 228-nil win against Bendigo Thunder.
Although it starts hot favourite to take the points a goal for Golden Square will be to maintain a high level of play in every quarter.
A strong Golden Square line-up which is second in the premiership race includes Gabby Drage, Jetah Keighran, Sarah Mannes, Terina Pickering, Claire Picone, Lauren Suleiman and Tanya Walsh.
It’s been an incredibly tough season for Thunder coach Mick McInnes and an inexperienced squad which had the bye last round.
Key players for Thunder include Maddi Brackenreg, Estella Murphy, Sharlene Cole, Ngaire Harlan, Charlotte Williams and Kate Wright.
The Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons will be back in their Scott Street den to play Marong.
When these teams last met in round nine it was Marong which won 35-6.
The Phil Murley-coached White Hills will be determined to take the points this time and chalk up its third victory of the season.
In-form players for the Demons include Chelsea Edwards, Kara Kane, Maiya and Sasha Pearce, and Gabby Speirs.
Marong has sights on a fourth victory.
The Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke-coached Panthers have played well to be fifth in the eight-team competition.
Best for Marong in the clash with Sandhurst were Hayley Martiniello, Dani Jeffery, Hannah Cue, Caitlin Shaw, Bianca Bourke and Katrina Alford.
Standings in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition:
Castlemaine 696 per cent, 40 points; Golden Square 588, 36; Eaglehawk 491, 36; Sandhurst 165, 28; Marong 65, 16; White Hills 37, 8; North Bendigo 26, 8; Bendigo Thunder 2, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
43 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
25 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
21 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
21 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
20 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
19 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
19 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
13 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
13 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
13 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
12 Georgia Gordon, Castlemaine.
12 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
12 Molly Pianta, Eaglehawk.
It’s also Pride Round for the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition.
All three matches on Sunday will start at 11.15am.
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Woorinen will be on home turf against the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons.
The Tigers will be wary as White Hills scored an upset 38-18 win at Golden Square last Sunday.
Strathfieldsaye Storm will be on its turf at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane to play Kangaroo Flat.
Storm is on the rebound from a 31-point loss to Sandhurst.
The Kangaroos had the bye last round.
Golden Square will aim to return to the winner’s list when it plays Eaglehawk on the Bulldogs’ turf in Wade Street.
Sandhurst has the bye.
Standings in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls footy competition:
Woorinen 1986 per cent, 32 points; Golden Square 190, 28; Sandhurst 198, 22; White Hills 171, 18; Strathfieldsaye 48, 12; Eaglehawk 21, 8; Kangaroo Flat 5, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Sunny Barry, Woorinen.
19 Charli Conway, Woorinen.
17 Mia Maxted, Sandhurst.
17 Tarliah Murphy, White Hills.
17 Chloe Tweed, Sandhurst.
14 Ruby Demeo, Golden Square.
14 Sophie O’Connell, White Hills.
14 Ruby Tierney, Woorinen.
11 Issy Boulton, Woorinen.
10 Meg Young, Woorinen.