-By Nathan Dole
CASTLEMAINE’S run at a fourth consecutive premiership victory kicks off in this weekend’s start to the Champions IGA-backed AFLCV senior women’s football competition.
The Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies will make their way to Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street to take on the Bulldogs.
Castlemaine was originally drawn to meet Woorinen in round one, but the Tigers have gone into recess for this season.
The Castlemaine and North Bendigo clash will start at 1pm.
Unbeaten in last year’s run to grand final glory, Castlemaine is eyeing a feat not many football clubs have achieved.
The Magpies’ beat Golden Square in the ’22 grand final and followed up with victory against Woorinen the following September.
Led by the likes of league medallist Maeve Tupper, Rachael Stubbings, captain Tiahna Cochrane and Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine was too strong for Square in last year’s cup decider.
Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter are North Bendigo’s new coaches.
Massive challenge for North Bendigo to kick off a new campaign.
First match of this season will be on Friday night at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
The Molly Metcalf-coached Hawks will take on White Hills from 7pm.
Big test for the Phil Murley-coached Demons as they put the heat on a club aiming to fly higher after last season’s fourth placing.
The Hawks will be led by Eliza Long as captain and Emily Field as vice-captain.
The Borough’s team for this match includes Caitlin Evans, Shelby Faulkner, Kelly Mensforth, Lexie Moss and Shanae Sawyer.
Two other matches on Sunday will complete the season opener.
Bendigo Thunder tackles Golden Square from 1pm at Weeroona Oval in Napier Street.
The Mick McInnes-coached Thunder will aim for a strong performance against last season’s runner-up.
Thunder has Katherine Christie and Estella Murphy as co-captains.
Newcomers for Thunder include Molly Horne from Monbulk, Woorinen’s Ngaire Harlan, and Stacey Barbagallo from Monash Blues.
Anity Bradford, Sharlene Cole and Sarah Lean are among several first-game players in Thunder’s squad.
Golden Square has a new-look coaching panel as Kellie Dadds and Carly Geary are in charge of the blue and gold.
Liz Watkins will captain the Bulldogs as Lauren Suleiman is vice-captain.
A player to watch for Golden Square is Kody Jacques who has played at VFLW level with Essendon, Port Melbourne and Richmond.
The footy journey for Jacques began in 2016 with Strathfieldsaye’s youth girls team and she kicked on to represent Bendigo Pioneers and Victoria Country.
Golden Square’s team for round one includes Sarah Mannes, Tanya Walsh, Kate Douglass, Mackenzie Bickley and Terina Pickering.
It’s the Panthers against the Dragons as Marong and Sandhurst clash from 1pm at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Jimmy Evenden and Daniel Bourke have teamed up to coach Marong.
The Panthers have appointed Bianca Bourke and Hannah Cue as co-captains.
Marong’s team includes Katrina Alford, Nikeah Anderson, Dani Jeffery, Jessica Jackson Lauren Knight and Caitlin Shaw.
Sandhurst’s second year in the AFLCV seniors competition will be led by Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland as co-coaches.
A win-loss tally of nine-six and a draw meant Sandhurst was fifth in its CV debut.