-By Nathan Dole
THE clash between the Castlemaine and Eaglehawk highlights Friday night’s start to round nine in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy season.
It’s first against third as the Magpies tackle the Hawks from 7pm at Camp Reserve as the league hits the halfway mark of the home-and-away series.
Unbeaten in its quest for a fourth consecutive premiership, Castlemaine beat the second-placed Golden Square last round by 26 points.
Jemma Finning, Eillish Cumming, Lily Den Houting and Chelsea Cole played well in the Magpies’ victory on Golden Square’s turf in Wade Street.
A talented Castlemaine line-up coached by Jordan Cochrane includes Maeve Tupper, Brianna Burt, Ella and Tiahna Cochrane, and Taylah Sartori.
A five-one record has the Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk in third place.
Lucy El Hage, Krystal Robinson, Grace Edlin and Taylah Nicholson were best in Eaglehawk’s 10-goal win against Sandhurst under the Canterbury Park lights last Friday.
Players to watch in the Two Blues line-up include captain Eliza Long, Shelby Faulkner, Shanae Sawyer, Sienna Hobbs and Kelly Mensforth.
Friday night’s other match will be at Scott Street in White Hills where Marong takes on Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons from 7pm.
A win-loss tally of two-three has Marong in fifth place, but just a win behind Sandhurst.
Best for Marong in a five-point win on North Bendigo’s ground last round were Hayley Martiniello, Hannah Cue, Dani Jeffery and Jessica Jackson.
The Panthers squad coached by Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke includes co-captains Bianca Bourke and Hannah Cue, Jaime Sawers and Katrina Alford.
White Hills will have gained plenty of confidence from its win against Bendigo Thunder in the Demons’ den last Sunday.
Sasha Pearce, Nadia Peebles, Allara Jackson and Amelie Haigh were best in a 107-nil win by the red and black.
The Demons’ squad coached by Phil Murley includes Oakley Turner, Matilda Meersbergen, Kara Kane and Catherine Fry.
Round nine will be completed on Sunday when Sandhurst tackles North Bendigo at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 1pm.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
Sandhurst’s best in the match at Eaglehawk were Katie Walker, Ruby Campbell, Chloe Naughton and Chloe Taylor.
The squad coached by Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland includes Scout Carmody, Charlotte Scanlon, Sarah Baldwin and Chelsea Reeves.
North Bendigo will be fired up after a five-point loss at home to Marong.
Best in the latest hit-out for the Bulldogs were Maddie Jelbart, Maddison and Aisha Mansfield, and Roweena Ilsley.
The North Bendigo squad jointly coached by Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter includes Quetta Holloway-Jinks, Kira Gibbons and Cassandra Coughlan.
Bendigo Thunder and Golden Square have the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder after eight rounds:
Castlemaine 1408 per cent, 24 points; Golden Square 565, 24; Eaglehawk 592, 20; Sandhurst 118, 12; Marong 77, 8; North Bendigo 40, 8; White Hills 40, 4; Bendigo Thunder 1, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
16 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
16 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
15 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
12 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
11 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
11 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
9 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
9 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
9 Amelie Haigh, White Hills.
8 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
8 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
8 Chesea Reeves, Sandhurst.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
7 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
The Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition takes a break on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
Round 10 kicks off Friday, June 13 with a night match between Eaglehawk and Golden Square from 5.30pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Two matches on Sunday, June 15 will start at 11.15am.
Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons take on Woorinen in Scott Street, White Hills.
Strathfieldsaye faces Golden Square at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Kangaroo Flat has the bye.