ROUND eight in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition kicks off this Saturday when games are played under lights at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve and Kyneton Showgrounds.
Both matches will start at 5.15pm.
The unbeaten and ladder-leading Castlemaine has made a brilliant debut in the CVFL and takes on Eaglehawk.
Last Friday night the Magpies soared to a 33-29 victory in the Indigenous Round match on Golden Square’s Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.
Jemma Finning, Tia Davidge and Michelle Barkla led the way for the Tiana Cochrane-coached Castlemaine.
The Pies also won a hard-fought match as the in-form Shelby Knoll was kept goalless.
A talented Castlemaine team includes Taylah Sartori, Lily McNair and Britney Oliver in defence; Kylie Thompson on a wing, Emily Cooper in an on-ball role, and Eloise Gretgrix, Bridie Semmens and Ella Cochrane in attack.
The Geoff West-coached Eaglehawk is on the rebound from a seven-point loss to Kyneton.
The Hawks hold fourth place, but only a win clear of Strathfieldsaye Storm.
Best for Eaglehawk against Kyneton were Kayla Cox, Molly Metcalf and Kelly Mensforth.
Players named in defence for this match include Chloe Green, Grace and Olivia Murley, and Kirstin Shaw
Others to watch for the Two Blues include Charlotte Edlin, Lily den Houting, Drew Ryan and Courtney Coffey.
The Phil Hawkes-coached Kyneton will aim to keep the winning run rolling when it plays Bendigo Thunder at Tigerland.
Teagan Ainslie, Terri Overstead and Rachael Williams starred in the win at Eaglehawk as Shannon Prendergast and Madeline Stott kicked two goals apiece.
The Tigers will also look to Taylah Moore, Shannon White, Jordan Savoia, Natalie Korinfsky and Sophie van Leest to keep the pressure on Thunder.
After a seven-goal win against Eaglehawk in round six, Thunder had the bye.
In-form players for the Jac Louttit-coached Thunder include Jessica Kennedy, Hannah Perry and Megan Williamson.
A strong squad is captained by Phoebe Cuttriss and includes Britney Mueck and Georgia Gordon in attack, Imogen Kendal, Shelby Faulkner and Abbey Barber.
The round will be completed on Sunday when Kerang plays Golden Square from 2.30pm at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Players in the Stephen Arthur-coached squad for Kerang include Sarah Ride, Kayla and Zalie Ash, Pearl Dunn, Britt Evans and Jessica Searle.
The Todd Deary-coached Golden Square is on the rebound from defeat, a task the club has not faced for a long time.
A powerful squad in blue and gold includes Amanda Carrod, Gemma Free, Liz Watkins, Andrea Wilson, Emily Collins and Michelle McCready.
North Bendigo has the bye, while Strathfieldsaye play Mount Alexander at Tannery Lane (2:30pm, this Sunday.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 1111 per cent, 20 points; Bendigo Thunder 1008, 16; Golden Square 473, 16; Kyneton 179, 16; Eaglehawk 232, 8; Strathfieldsaye 30, 4; Kerang 8, 4; North Bendigo 1, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
27 Britney Mueck, BT.
26 Shelby Knoll, Cm.
13 Meg Ginnivan, Cm.
11 Shannon Prendergast, Kyn.
8 Emily Collins, GS; Taylah Moore, Kyn.; Freyja Pearce, Eh.
7 Ella Cochrane, Cm; Georgia Gordon, BT; Samantha Heron, Eh; Lily McNair, Cm; Mia Ward, GS.
6 Tia Davidge, Cm; Lily Den Houting, Eh.
5 Sharni Barker, BT; Jasmine Burzacott, Eh; Charlotte Edlin, Eh; Jemma Finning, Cm; Michelle McCready, GS.
4 Emily Cooper, Cm; Phoebe Cuttriss, BT; Heidi Erasmus, Kyn.; Keely Hare, GS; Jessica Kennedy, BT; Shae-Lee Murphy-Burke, BT; Molly Pianta, S’saye; Britt Tangey, S’saye; Mia Ward, GS; Emma Williams, Kyn.
3 Teagan Ainslie, Kyn.; Amanda Carrod, GS; Charlotte Edlin, Eh; Gemma Free, GS; Natalie Korfinsky, Kyn.; Jac Louttit, BT; Kristal Lugosi, Eh; Shannon Prendergast, Kyn.; Lana Westaway, S’saye; Monique Williams, GS.
Written by Nathan Dole.