Castlemaine Football Netball Club’s undefeated Senior Women’s football side has made history claiming back-to-back premiership honours in the AFL Central Vic Women’s competition at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Friday night.
The opening term against a determined Woorinen began as a real arm wrestle as both sides took time to settle and control the ball in the cool, slippery conditions.
Woorinen had the opportunity to get an early goal when they were awarded a 50-metre penalty for a high tackle 30 metres out, but the shot was wide with the Tigers registering a point for the first score of the game.
The League’s leading goal kicker Eloise Gretgrix was looking dangerous at the other end of the ground and had a couple of chances but only managed a point to even the score. Meg Ginnivan was laying some fierce tackles and Taylah Sartori was doing a brilliant job in defence but Woorinen managed to sneak another point through before the quarter’s end.
In the second term the tense battle continued with neither side prepared to give an inch, laying tackles and desperately trying to control the football.
The Tigers’ Katelyn Hazlett, Freda Wosomo and Tenay Fellows were superb doing everything they could to thwart Castlemaine’s run through the midfield.
However, League Best and Fairest Aisling Tupper had the ball on a string with the commentators stating the footballer may need to present at the hospital after the game with a case of leather poisoning.
The Magpies were eventually rewarded with a goal off the boot of Abbey Bertram and it was game on.
Woorinen managed to sneak through a couple more points but the Magpies began to look more confident and at half time held a narrow four-point advantage.
They say that the third term is the premiership quarter in finals football and that certainly proved the case for the Magpies with the side lifting to a whole new level and showing the class that has seen them undefeated for the season with an early goal off the boot of Gretgrix.
This was followed by another from Tiffany Bradley before Meg Ginnivan was finally rewarded for her hard work around the ball with a third for the quarter.
The Tigers never bowed their heads and had a late chance which was thwarted by a goal-saving tackle by Maine defender Beppina Marshall. The Tigers trailed by 19 points at three-quarter-time.
The hard work of the Tigers’ Donal Fellows was finally rewarded when she goaled early in the fourth term to give Woorinen some hope, but the Magpie Eloise Gretgrix found one in reply and the side worked hard to shut down the Tigers avenues to goal to run down the clock and secure a hard earned 17 point victory which writes them into the history books.
Castlemaine 5-2 (32) to Woorinen 1-9 (15).
Meg Ginnivan was named Best on Ground following a consistent four-quarter effort.
Other top contributors for the Magpies were Aisling Tupper, Jemma Finning, Lily den Houting, Beppina Marshall and Eillish Cumming.
Magpie coach Jordan Cochrane congratulated Woorinen on a fantastic season in their first year in the competition.
The coach said he was extremely proud of his Magpie side.
“They have put in a phenomenal effort for the whole season and what they have managed to achieve is outstanding,” he said.
He thanked assistant coach Nic Woodman, manager Georgia Banks, the club and the league for their support.
“And thanks to our supporters for coming out and getting behind us. It means so much,” he said.
