-By Nathan Dole
NORTH Bendigo marked a long-awaited victory in Sunday’s finale to round four in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s football league.
The Bulldogs had not won since a 52-nil result against Marong on May 24, 2024 at North Bendigo’s Atkins Street Oval.
On Sunday the red, white and blue raced to a 31-7 lead by half-time of the clash with Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
The Demons fired up to win the second half, but it was the Jaydene Burzacott and Zak Carter-coached North Bendigo which led 51-35 at the final siren.
Kira Gibbons led the Bulldogs’ attack on three goals.
Amelie Haigh capped a fine game for the red and black by kicking three goals.
North Bendigo’s best were Shea-Lee Murphy-Burke, Marguerita Murphy, Maddie Jelbart, Cassandra Coughlan and Kourtnie Prolongeau.
Tracey Anderson, Amelie Haigh, Nadia Peebles, Gabby Speirs, Chelsea and Acacia Edwards were best for the Phil Murley-coached White Hills.
Round four began with the Anzac Day match between Golden Square and Sandhurst played under Golden Square’s lights in Wade Street.
Golden Square dominated play to mark a 46-nil victory.
An evenly fought opening term went Square’s way, 7-0.
The blue and gold added 2.5 in the second and 1.2 in the third.
Led by the play of Ayesha Gideon, Caitie Williamson and Gabby Drage, Golden Square kicked away to score 3.2 in the final term.
Gideon and captain Liz Watkins led the attack on two goals each.
Best for Golden Square included Claire Picone, Mackenzie Bickley and Emma Crossland.
Arkie Donnelly, Lara Bish, Ruby Campbell, Chloe Naughton, Annie Perryman and Sarah Baldwin were best for a Sandhurst team jointly coached by Andrew Saladino and Liam Ireland.
In Sunday’s other match, Castlemaine marked a 185-nil win on Bendigo Thunder’s turf at Weeroona Oval in Napier Street.
With eyes on a fourth consecutive premiership, Castlemaine’s ruthless edge was to the fore as it racked up 50 scoring shots.
The Jordan Cochrance-coached Magpies scored 27 goals in which 18 players featured on the goalkicking list.
Leading goalkickers for Castlemaine were Tia Davidge, four; Jemma Finning, three; Grace Brady,, Tiahna Cochrane, Eillish Cumming and Evie Nuttall on two.
Best for the Magpies were Tiahna Cochrane, Jemma Finning, Tia Davidge, Evie Nuttall, Taylah Sartori and Brianna Burt.
Stacey Barbagallo, Katherine Christie, Amity Bradford, Kate Wright, Sheridan Gallagher and Maddi Brackenerg were best for an inexperienced Thunder team which is coached by Mick McInnes.
Eaglehawk and Marong had the bye.
The CVFL senior women’s footy competition returns to Queen Elizabeth Oval next Sunday when Sandhurst takes on Bendigo Thunder in the round five match from 3.30pm.
Two other matches will be played from 1pm.
Marong faces Eaglehawk at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
The Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons will be in their den in Scott Street to play Golden Square.
Castlemaine and North Bendigo have the bye.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder:
Castlemaine 3287 per cent, 16 points; Golden Square 614, 12; Eaglehawk 262, 8; Marong 271, 4; Sandhurst 32, 4; North Bendigo 16, 4; White Hills 35, 0; Bendigo Thunder 0, 0.1.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Eloise Gretgrix, Castlemaine.
8 Sarah Mannes, Golden Square.
8 Liz Watkins, Golden Square.
7 Tiahna Cochrane, Castlemaine.
7 Jemma Finning, Castlemaine.
7 Kodi Jacques, Golden Square.
6 Brianna Burt, Castlemaine.
6 Ella Cochrane, Castlemaine.
6 Samantha Johnston, Eaglehawk.
5 Emma Crossland, Golden Square.
5 Eillish Cumming, Castlemaine.
Meanwhile, the CVFL under-18 girls competition began on Anzac Day when Golden Square played Sandhurst at Golden Square’s Wade Street ground.
A great contest ended in a 34-27 win for Golden Square.
Details on goalkickers and best players were not supplied.
On Sunday the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons won 182-nil on Kangaroo Flat’s ground at Dower Park.
Tarliah Murphy and Sophie O’Connell both kicked eight goals for the Demons.
Other multiple goalkickers for the red and black were Maci Gough on three, and Jayda Alford, Kassidy Cail and Reagan Wirken on two.
Best for White Hills were Kassidy Cail, Tarliah Murphy, Layla O’Brien, Sophie O’Connell, Maci Gough and Jayda Alford.
The Kangaroos’ best were Mieka Szakal, Maliha Dean, Shelby Kitchingham, Lora Soko and Tahlee Gray.
It was a big win for Woorinen at home against Strathfieldsaye Storm.
The Tigers romped to a 149-nil win as Sunny Barry, Charli Conway and Carly Shepherd kicked three goals each.
Ruby Butler, Mia Ferguson and Meg Young chipped in with two goals each for the yellow and black.
Woorinen’s best were Charli Conway, Ruby Butler, Meg Young, Sunny Barry, Milla and Jenna Stewart.
Chella Fitzgerald, Emily Bullock, Scarlett Ward, Molly Manton, Eva Riseley and Seonah McGregor were Strathfieldsaye’s best.
Eaglehawk had the bye.
Round two will be played next Sunday.
Eaglehawk faces Woorinen at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park from 11.15am.
White Hills and Golden Square clash at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills from 11.15am.
Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat meet at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 1.30pm.
Strathfieldsaye has the bye.