CASTLEMAINE and Eaglehawk were victorious in Sunday’s semi-finals in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy action.
A huge day of women’s and under-18 girls footy involved four matches at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
The Castlemaine Magpies progressed to a fourth consecutive senior women’s grand final as they marked a 62-27 win against Golden Square in the second semi.
Pressure was high from Golden Square in the first half as the blue and gold worked hard to lead 14-9 by half-time.
In the third the Jordan Cochrane-coached Castlemaine upped its run and teamwork.
The Magpies scored six goals and kept the Bulldogs to a major in the crucial third term.
Castlemaine led 47-20 going into the last quarter.
Chasing a fourth consecutive premiership, Castlemaine won the final term, 15-7.
Ella Cochrane and Maeve Tupper led Castlemaine’s attack with two goals each in the 62-27 victory.
Other goalkickers for the Magpies were Tiahna Cochrane, Chelsea Cole, Lily Den Houting, Jemma Finning and Georgia Gordon.
Golden Square’s attack was led by Gabby Drage on two as Bella Eddy and Claire Picone were also on target.
Best for Castlemaine were Jemma Finning, Maeve Tupper, Eillish Cumming, Grace Brady, Amelia Britt and Abbey Bertram.
Golden Square’s best were Lauren Suleiman, Mackenzie Bickley, Ava Barker, Taylah Moore, Liz Watkins and Gemma Roberts.
The Carly Geary and Bec McLay-coached Golden Square will now prepare to play Eaglehawk in Friday night’s preliminary final at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
Play on the View Street ground will start at 7.30pm.
Eaglehawk kept premiership hopes alive as it won Sunday’s first semi-final against Sandhurst by 13 points.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Eaglehawk led 19-14 at quarter-time.
In the second it was Sandhurst which had a lot of the play.
As the Dragons scored 2.1 they kept the Hawks to a major.
By half-time Sandhurst was up 27-25.
A point separated the teams going into the final quarter.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland-coached Sandhurst led 39-38.
Eaglehawk produced its best quarter of the match.
As the Hawks scored 4.2 they kept the Dragons to just two goals.
By the final siren Eaglehawk led 64-51.
Sienna Hobbs capped a superb match with four goals as Shelby Faulkner kicked two.
Other goalkickers for the Two Blues were Samantha Johnston, Kelly Mensforth, Molly Pianta and Lana Westaway.
The Sandhurst attack was led by Scout Carmody and Amanda Carrod on two each.
Other goalkickers for the maroon and blue were Arkie Donnelly, Hannah Maher, Chelsea Reeves and Charlotte Scanlon.
Best for Eaglehawk were Caitlin Evans, Lexie Moss, Abbey Willcox, Molly Metcalf, Cass Coleman and Molly Pianta.
Zoeann McKenzie, Arkie Donnelly, Ruby Campbell, Chloe Naughton, Letisha Stewart and Amanda Carrod played well for Sandhurst.
In the under-18 girls competition it was wins for Sandhurst and Woorinen.
The first semi-final featured Sandhurst against the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons.
A fired-up Sandhurst raced to an 18-nil lead by quarter-time and did not let up.
The Dragons scored five goals in the second, four in the third and four in the last.
By the final siren Sandhurst led 99-nil.
Leni Brown led the attack on four goals as Ellie Bellenger, Mia Maxted and Kyah Spiteri slotted two each.
Other goalkickers for the maroon and blue were Ava Franklin, Ryah Mackie, Tully Place, Alannah Prowse and Chloe Tweed.
Sandhurst’s best were Leni Brown, Ellie Bellenger, Hannah Guo, Ryah Mackie, Alannah Prowse and Chloe Tweed.
A list of best players for White Hills was not supplied.
Woorinen struck back from its first defeat of the season the previous round to win the second semi-final clash with Golden Square by 37 points.
Golden Square led one-nil at quarter-time.
As Woorinen added two goals in the second, Golden Square also slotted its first major.
The Tigers took charge in the second half.
Woorinen scored three goals in the third quarter and another two in the last.
As the Tigers scored 31 points they kept the Bulldogs to a point.
By the final siren Woorinen led 45-8.
Sunny Barry and Ruby Tierney led the Tigers’ attack on three goals as Meg Young added another.
Goalkicker for the Bulldogs was Shoshanna Love.
Best for Woorinen were Milla Stewart, Meg Young, Charli Conway, Erin Johnston, Ruby Butler and Holly Thomson.
Golden Square’s best were Jayde Chappel, Lucy Johansen, Shoshanna Love, Lily Mansfield, Gemma McPhee and Dakota Woodhatch.
The preliminary final between Golden Square and Sandhurst will be played this Friday at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo from 5.30pm.
Woorinen has won its way to the September 5 grand final.
Leaders in the CVFL senior women’s footy goalkicking:
53 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
32 Scout Carmody, Sandhurst.
32 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
31 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
24 Gabby Drage, Golden Square.
23 Kelly Mensforth, Eaglehawk.
22 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
16 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
16 Molly Pianta, Eaglehawk.
16 Charlotte Scanlon, Sandhurst.
15 Kira Gibbons, North Bendigo.
15 Maeve Tupper, Castlemaine.
14 Georgia Gordon, Castlemaine.
13 Amelie Haigh, White Hills.
12 Ruby Campbell, Sandhurst.
12 Shelby Faulkner, Golden Square.
12 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
11 Lauren Knight, Marong.
Leaders in the CVFL under-18 girls goalkicking:
30 Sunny Barry, Woorinen.
29 Mia Maxted, Sandhurst.
25 Tarliah Murphy, White Hills.
25 Chloe Tweed, Sandhurst.
22 Ruby Tierney, Woorinen.
20 Ruby Demeo, Golden Square.
19 Charli Conway, Woorinen.
16 Sophie O’Connell, White Hills.
13 Leni Brown, Sandhurst.
12 Stella Bibby, Woorinen.
12 Meg Young, Woorinen.
11 Issy Boulton, Woorinen.
10 Ella Henery, White Hills.
10 Lily Mansfield, Golden Square.