-By Nathan Dole
THE ladder-leading Golden Square and Castlemaine clash this Sunday to complete round eight in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football competition.
Golden Square has home-ground advantage in Wade Street as first and second in the premiership race meet from 1pm.
Teams are back on field after last weekend’s break.
It’s been an extended rest for Castlemaine which has not played since May 11.
Golden Square won its latest hit-out with North Bendigo in Wade Street by 89 points.
Best for the blue and gold were Holly Smith, Tania Kerrison, Gemma Free and Lauren Suleiman.
When the Bulldogs and Magpies last met on Good Friday it was Castlemaine which won 54-nil on its turf at Camp Reserve.
The Golden Square squad includes Gabby Drage, Terina Pickering, Tanya Walsh and captain Liz Watkins.
Huge challenge for Golden Square’s defence and midfield against the Magpies who are unbeaten in their run at a fourth consecutive premiership.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine has a powerful attack led by Eloise Gretgrix, Brianna Burt, Jemma Finning, Tiahna Cochrane and Eillish Cumming.
Round eight kicks off with Friday night’s match between Eaglehawk and Sandhurst at 7.15pm on Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
It’s third against fourth.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk kicked 29 goals in the round seven clash at home against Bendigo Thunder.
In-form players for the Two Blues include Grace Edlin, Emily Galtieri, Kelly Mensforth and Shanae Sawyer.
The Hawks’ squad includes Lucy El Hage, Caitlin Evans, Olivia Murley and Lana Westaway.
Sandhurst won its latest match against White Hills at Queen Elizabeth Oval by 101 points.
Captain Ruby Campbell kicked four goals as Scout Carmody and Chelsea Reeves added three each.
Key players for the team in maroon and blue coached by Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland include Chloe Taylor, Chloe Swatton, Amanda Carrod and Charlotte Scanlon.
On Sunday, North Bendigo plays Marong from 1pm at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
A win-loss tally of two-three has the Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter-coached North Bendigo in fifth place.
Best for the Bulldogs in the round seven match at Golden Square were Roweena Ilsley, Quetta Holloway-Jinks, Marguerita Murphy and Nicole Brannan.
The North Bendigo squad is led by captain Aisha Mansfield and includes Kira Gibbons, Maddie Jelbart and Heidi Schneider.
Marong has not played since a 71-point loss at Golden Square when the league marked Pink Round on May 11.
Best for the Panthers in that match were Hayley Martiniello, Hannah Cue, Bianca Bourke and Kayla Grant.
The Marong squad coached by Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke includes Jaime Sawers, Nikeah Anderson, Katrina Alford, Chelby and Crystal Clark.
White Hills and Bendigo Thunder meet this Sunday from 1pm at Scott Street in White Hills.
The Demons or Thunder will mark their first win of the season.
Best for White Hills in their latest match against Sandhurst were Nadia Peebles, Tahlia Kendall, Sharni Barker and Catherine Fry.
The Phil Murley-coached Demons squad includes Kadeisha Smith, Daisy Gee, Tahlia Kendall and Oakley Turner.
It’s been a tough season for Bendigo Thunder.
Best in Thunder’s match on Eaglehawk’s ground were Sharlene Cole, Katherine Christie, Stacey Barbagallo and Alannah Leach.
The Mick McInnes-coached Thunder team to play in the Demons den includes Sarah Lean, Britt Evans, Awhina Poki, Kate Wright and Shasta Martion.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Golden Square 886 per cent, 24 points; Castlemaine 1981, 20; Eaglehawk 532, 16; Sandhurst 157, 12; North Bendigo 38, 8; Marong 71, 4; White Hills 16, 0; Bendigo Thunder 2, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
21 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
16 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
15 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
14 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
11 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
9 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
9 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
8 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
8 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
8 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
8 Chelsea Reeves, Sandhurst.
7 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
7 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
7 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
Round five in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls competition kicks off with Friday’s match between Eaglehawk and Sandhurst from 5.30pm at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
Both of Sunday’s matches start at 11.15am.
Woorinen will be on home turf against Kangaroo Flat, and Strathfieldsaye faces White Hills in Storm territory at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.
Golden Square has the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls footy ladder:
Woorinen 1842 per cent, 12 points; Golden Square 486, 16; White Hills 163, 6; Sandhurst 149, 6; Eaglehawk 42, 4; Strathfieldsaye 18, 4; Kangaroo Flat 3, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
12 Sunny Barry, Woorinen.
11 Charli Conway, Woorinen.
10 Tarliah Murphy, White Hills.
9 Sophie O’Connell, White Hills.
9 Chloe Tweed, Sandhurst.
8 Mia Maxted, Sandhurst.
6 Lily Mansfield, Golden Square.
5 Lucy Gilbee, Golden Square.
5 Ryah Mackie, Sandhurst.
5 Carly Shepherd, Woorinen.
5 Meg Young, Woorinen.