A stand out crowd of over a thousand people made their way to Camp Reserve on Sunday to cheer on the Castlemaine Women’s Football team in their historic AFL Central Vic semi-final against rivals Golden Square.
Despite the team’s success over Golden Square twice previously this year, the season debutantes entered the ground as the underdogs.
Minor premier’s Golden Square displayed a professional outfit with significant finals experience ready to compete. With a strong list against Castlemaine’s injury ridden side, the Magpies had a fight on their hands.
Having lost Eloise Gretgrix (forward line) and Olivia Holbert (back line) some weeks back to injury, more recent casualties including experienced forward Lily McNair and back line general Michelle Barkla had an impact on the Magpies side.
Castlemaine came out strong in the first quarter displaying a number of linking plays however Golden Square’s defensive work kept the Magpies from scoring. The first term concluded with Golden Square 1.1 (7) to Castlemaine’s 0.0, the home team still very much in the game.
Scoring opportunities remained fairly even in the second term with each team kicking two goals, one each for Castlemaine’s Shelby Knoll and Lily McMahon. Despite this Golden Square continued to put pressure on the debut side, leading the Magpies into forced errors and mistakes. The Bulldogs kept their one goal lead into the half time break.
The Magpies aimed to return fire in the third quarter and push for a lead however the Bulldogs came prepared shutting down the home side at every turn. Despite the home crowd cheering them on Castlemaine’s game structures fell apart as they were continually pressed from all angles.
Key intercept players Jemma Finning, Tia Davidge and Aisling Tupper worked hard to keep their team in the game with Finning putting her body on the line multiple times. Golden Square kicked five of their own whilst the Magpies struggled to make the most of Knoll in full forward. Scores at the break were Castlemaine 2.1 (13) to Golden Square 7.4 (46).
Back line player Taylah Sartori exited the game at three-quarter time and rover Aisling Tupper was also lost. Messages from the coaching team were to hold and keep up their intensity for the final twenty-minutes of the game. The team responded, effectively neutralising the visitors in the final term. It was all Castlemaine could do to tighten up their defensive structures and hold the Bulldogs at bay.
Back line players Jess Ross, Meg Tong and Beppina Marshall had a tough task all game and lifted heroically through the fourth quarter. Final scores were 2.2 (14) to 7.6 (48).
Whilst disappointing, Castlemaine will have a second chance this Friday night against evenly matched Bendigo Thunder. Both teams will be vying for a grand final spot against Golden Square who get the weekend off to rest. Assistant Coach Jordan Cochrane remained positive after Sunday’s defeat.
“Glimpses throughout the game showed our players have what it takes to compete with the top end of the competition but now need to string it together for four quarters. Thunder are a very strong competitor but I’m confident our side has what it takes to come out on top,” Jordan said.
Come down and support the Magpies in tonight’s September 2 Preliminary Final to begin at 7pm against Bendigo Thunder at Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk.