The Castlemaine Magpies Senior Women’s Football team kept their premiership hopes alive after a convincing 29-11 win over Bendigo Thunder at Canterbury Park on Friday night.
The Magpies have been league-favourites throughout their inaugural season competing in the Central Victoria Football League.
Their previous Round 18 match up against the Thunder saw Castlemaine’s first loss of the year by a single point margin.
A 14-48 semi-final loss against rivals Golden Square last weekend in front of a home crowd forced the Magpies to reassess in the lead up to the preliminary final on Friday night.
The low scoring game saw the return of key forward Lily McNair from an ankle injury the previous fortnight and she proved effective kicking two goals for the game. Also returning was Michelle Barkla, a machine in centre-half back, who took up Captaincy as skipper Meg Ginnivan sat the game out on the sidelines with injury.
The Magpies looked strong in the first term with improved forward entries seeing a goal each kicked by McNair and rising talent Shelby Knoll. Thunder player Jaime Sawers managed a goal whilst lead goal kicker for the league, Britney Mueck, was effectively neutralised by the defensive work of Magpies fullback Taylah Sartori. Unfortunately for Thunder this continued all game. Scores at quarter time were Castlemaine 2.2 (14) to Bendigo Thunder 1.2 (8).
The pressure through the second term intensified as each team tried to get on top of the other and ended with an evenly matched 2.3 (15) to 1.3 (9), the Magpies retaining the lead.
Castlemaine’s game was elevated compared to the previous weeks clash with key forward targets Bridie Semmens, Tiahna Cochrane, Ella Cochrane and Knoll all playing their roles.
Magpie midfielders Emily Cooper and Tia Davidge proved essential as did the rucking capabilities of Emma Pedretti and Semmens who each took a turn against a very physical Thunder playing-coach Jac Louttit.
Castlemaine sibling coaching duo Tiahna Cochrane and Jordan Cochrane used the half-time break to remind the team of its capabilities.
The third quarter being a danger-period in past matches against strong teams like Golden Square. The team was determined to rise to the occasion and lock in a win.
Despite keeping the Thunder scoreless for the third term, and multiple forward entries, the Magpies could not convert and kicked six points for the quarter. They entered three-quarter time ahead on 2.9 (21) to Thunder’s 1.3 (9).
Excitement was mounting across the ground going into the fourth with a substantial crowd lined up along the boundary to cheer on the Magpies. With only a two goal lead and a grand final at stake the out-of-towner’s were anxious to lock in a win.
A desperate Thunder had sustained several injuries over the game but were no less focussed as they pushed for an all important goal to restore confidence. The Thunder had two opportunities throughout the quarter but could not convert. An inspired performance by McNair widened the lead as she kicked her second goal for the Magpies. The final siren sounded to cheers from the gathered crowd. Final scores were Castlemaine 3.11 (29) to Bendigo Thunder 1.5 (11).
The local favourites are now through to the 2022 CVFL Women’s Grand Final to be played at 7pm tonight, Friday September 9, at the Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) in Bendigo. The bar and food will be available for spectators in what will be a promising performance by two top-tier teams.
See pages 32 and 33 for our double page feature on the grand final side.