PRIDE Round across the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy competition kicks off with Friday night’s match at C & M Oval in Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.
It’s fifth against second as Eaglehawk takes on Castlemaine from 7.30pm at the Simpson’s Road venue.
The league also hits the halfway mark of the home-and-away series.
An Eaglehawk team coached by Molly Metcalf is on the rebound from a 77-point loss at Golden Square’s Gourmet Pantry Oval.
It’s been an extended break for Castlemaine as Bendigo Thunder forfeited last Sunday’s match.
Most recent hit-out for the Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies ended in a 53-point win against White Hills at The Railway Hotel Oval in Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Key players for Eaglehawk include Grace Edlin, Caitlin Evans, Shelby Faulkner, Monique Gavrilaidis, Eliza Long, Kelly Mensforth, and coach Molly Metcalf.
Castlemaine’s squad includes captain Tiahna Cochrane, Tiffany Bradley, Eillish Cumming, Jemma Finning, Rebekah Forrest and Tarni Williams.
Three matches will be played on Sunday from 1pm.
Wedge Tailed-Eagles face Sandhurst at Woodend’s Racecourse Reserve.
The Phil Hawkes-coached dominated last Sunday’s match on Marong’s turf at Jackal Oval in Malone Park.
A strong attack for the WTE line-up includes Jorja Bennett, Emma Williams and Brooke Cowan.
The Eagles’ squad also has Teagan Ainslie, Aisha Mansfield, Kareena Jacobsen-Logan, Courtney Johns and Ayesha Nicholson fired up for this contest.
Sandhurst also takes winning form into this match following a 73-point win at White Hills.
Players to watch in the maroon and blue include Sarah Baldwin, Taylah Klemm, Isabella Ayre, Maddy White, and Grace, Lily and Ruby Campbell.
Sandhurst is jointly coached by Liam Ireland and Andrew Saladino.
The ladder-leading Golden Square is back on its turf at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Wade Street to play White Hills.
Since a 13-point loss at Castlemaine in round one the Darren Walsh-coached Golden Square has gone on a seven-match winning streak.
A powerful team representing Golden Square includes Ruby Demeo, Kate Douglass, Gabby Drage, Carly Geary, Karley Hynes, and Gemma and Makayla Roberts.
Massive test for a White Hills team coached by Sharni Barker and Allara Jackson.
Key players for the Demons include Tracey Anderson, Acacia and Chelsea Edwards, Courtney Gibson, Kara Kane, and Sasha Pearce.
Marong or Bendigo Thunder will break their winless run when they meet at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo’s Napier Street.
When these teams met in round three it was the Mick McInnes-coached Thunder which won 34-20 at Weeroona Oval.
Thunder’s squad for Sunday includes Sharlene Cole, Sophie Guy, Sarah Lean, Hollie Maher, Shastia Martion, Samantha O’Meara, and Rachel Salm.
The Brett Carter-coached Marong includes Bridget Chalkley, Jacinta Hoggan, Tidiamalo Khalo, Alex Purdy, and Naomi Ridsdale.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy ladder after eight rounds:
Golden Square 596 per cent, 28 points; Castlemaine 419, 28; Sandhurst 180, 20; Wedge-Tailed Eagles 307, 16; Eaglehawk 175, 16; White Hills 150, 16; Bendigo Thunder 3, 4; Marong 2, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
29 Gabby Drage, GS.
21 Shelby Knoll, Cm.
20 Emma Williams, WTE.
19 Jorja Bennett, WTE.
14 Kira Gibbons, GS.
11 Molly Metcalf, Eh.
10 Brooke Cowan, WTE.
9 Grace Edlin, Eh; Paynton Jolliffe, Cm.
Round six in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls footy competition kicks off with two matches on Friday night.
Eaglehawk takes on Castlemaine from 5.30pm at C & M Oval in Canterbury Park.
Sandhurst and Echuca United clash at Ewing Park off Williamson Street in Bendigo from 6.30pm.
Three matches on Sunday start at 11am.
Kangaroo Flat faces Woorinen at Bendigo Mazda Oval in Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park.
Storm takes on Marong at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
Golden Square and White Hills clash at Gourmet Pantry Oval in Golden Square’s Wade Street.
Champions IGA-backed CVFL under-18 girls ladder after five rounds:
Woorinen 657 per cent, 20 points; Marong 162, 16; Storm 137, 16; White Hills 205, 12; Eaglehawk 135, 12; Castlemaine 91, 12; Echuca United 75, 4; Sandhurst 49, 4; Kangaroo Flat 55, 0; Golden Square 9, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
15 Matilda Rose, KF.
11 Alyssa Wardell, M.
10 Molly Austin, M.
9 Jada Dennis, EU; Prue O’Sullivan, W’neen.
8 Ava Bartlett, Cm; Stella Bibby, W’neen; Lana Brooks, W’neen; Jorja Cunningham, Storm; Adele McNaughton, WH; Tianna Shay, M.