-By Nathan Dole
LIGHTS will be blazing at Canterbury Park on Friday night when Eaglehawk and Golden Square meet in round 10 of the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy season.
The Hawks and Bulldogs meet in a clash of third and second on the Borough’s turf in Simpson’s Road from 7.15pm.
When these clubs met in round two it was Golden Square which marked a 64-1 victory on the Bulldogs’ ground in Wade Street.
Eaglehawk’s only defeats have been to the ladder-leading Castlemaine and Golden Square.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Hawks played at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve last Friday night as part of the King’s Birthday holiday weekend round.
Kelly Mensforth kicked two goals in a 60-33 loss to the reigning premier which is chasing its fourth flag in a row.
Best for Eaglehawk against the Magpies were Molly Metcalf, Abbey Free, Kelly Mensforth and Lucy El Hage.
The Two Blues’ squad to play Golden Square includes Shelby Faulkner, Freyja Pearce, captain Emily Field and Olivia Murley.
Golden Square is back on field after a bye.
In round eight the Bulldogs were at home against Castlemaine in a rematch of the ’24 grand finalists.
Best for the blue and gold in a 26-point loss were Lucy Johansen, Lauren Suleiman, Taylah Moore and Sarah Mannes.
Golden Square starts this round a win and almost 200 per cent clear of Eaglehawk in the fight for a top-two berth and double chance at finals time.
Players to watch for Golden Square against the Hawks include Gemma McPhee in the ruck, captain Liz Watkins, Gabby Drage, Ava Barker in the centre, and Terina Pickering and Tanya Walsh in defence.
The round will be completed on Sunday when two matches are contested from 1pm.
The unbeaten Castlemaine will be on home turf at Camp Reserve to tackle Sandhurst.
In round two the Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies soared to a 120-16 win against the Dragons at Bendigo’s Ewing Park.
Castlemaine’s formidable attack for Sunday’s match includes Brianna Burt, captain Tiahna Cochrane, Eillish Cumming and Jemma Finning.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies also have the running power and skill of Maeve Tupper, Hannah Cochrane, Abbey Bertram and Evie Nuttall.
Sandhurst scored a four-goal win against North Bendigo in last Sunday’s match at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Katie Walker, Arkie Donnelly, Scout Carmody and Sarah Baldwin were best for the maroon and blue.
A Sandhurst squad jointly coached by Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland includes captain Ruby Campbell, Chelsea Reeves, Chloe Naughton, Lacey Nihill and Charlotte Scanlon.
Bendigo Thunder takes on Marong at Weeroona Oval on Sunday.
Rested by the bye, Thunder is against an opponent which scored a 29-point win against the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons in the Scott Street den last round.
Key players for the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder include Stacey Barbagallo, co-captains Katherine Christie and Estella Murphy, Alannah Leach and Sharlene Cole.
In round two, Marong passed the century mark against Thunder.
Players to watch in a Panthers team coached by Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke include Katrina Alford, Jaime Sawers, Dani Jeffery, Hannah Cue, Caitlin Shaw and Lauren Knight.
North Bendigo and White Hills have the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 908 per cent, 28 points; Golden Square 565, 24; Eaglehawk 374, 20; Sandhurst 127, 16; Marong 91, 12; North Bendigo 40, 8; White Hills 39, 4; Bendigo Thunder 1, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
17 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
16 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
16 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
15 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
12 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
11 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
11 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
11 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
10 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
9 Amelie Haigh, White Hills.
8 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
8 Chesea Reeves, Sandhurst.
7 Ruby Campbell, Sandhurst.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
7 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
The Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition resumes on Friday night.
Teams are back in action after a rest on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
The round kicks off with Friday’s showdown between Eaglehawk and Golden Square from 5.30pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Both of Sunday’s matches start at 11.15am.
The Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons will be on their turf in Scott Street against the unbeaten Woorinen Tigers.
Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst meet in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls ladder:
Woorinen 2404 per cent, 16 points; Golden Square 486, 16; Sandhurst 201, 10; Strathfieldsaye 36, 8; White Hills 128, 6; Eaglehawk 30, 4; Kangaroo Flat 2, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Sunny Barry, Woorinen.
14 Charli Conway, Woorinen.
13 Chloe Tweed, Sandhurst.
10 Mia Maxted, Sandhurst.
10 Tarliah Murphy, White Hills.
9 Sophie O’Connell, White Hills.
8 Meg Young, Woorinen.
6 Lily Mansfield, Golden Square.
6 Carly Shepherd, Woorinen.
5 Lucy Gilbee, Golden Square.
5 Ryah Mackie, Sandhurst.