The future is bright for Castlemaine Football Netball Club with three of its young sides taking the next step in their respective finals campaigns last weekend.
The Magpie Under 18s hit the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday in the elimination final showdown against Kangaroo Flat in what was the club’s first Bendigo Football Netball League finals appearance for a football side in 14 years.
Both teams took a while to settle their nerves and get into the contest with seven behinds registered before the Magpies finally got a goal on the board off the boot of Timon Vellacott.
Kangaroo Flat soon bounced back with three of their own to hold a 15-point lead at quarter-time.
The Magpies rallied in the second term with two goals to a rampaging Mitchell McKnight and one to Kyan Martin whilst the defence held Flat to just two points.
At half-time Castlemaine had turned the tables and held a narrow three-point lead.
The third quarter descended into a real scrap as both teams fought for the upper hand. Kangaroo Flat managed to grab 1.5 while Castlemaine only secured two points and trailed by a goal at the final change.
Castlemaine nabbed another goal early in the fourth term but Flat continued to pepper the sticks grabbing vital points.
Chaz Holman kicked a vital goal for the Magpies, but Flat soon found one in the reply off the boot of Xavier Coghill to keep the Roos in touch.
As the clock wound down Jack Nuttall stood up kicking the match winning goal for the Magpies to get them over the line by eight points. Castlemaine 7.9 (51) to Kangaroo Flat 5.13 (43).
The side has now secured a spot in this Sunday’s First Semi Final against Gisborne at the Queen Elizabeth Oval at 10.15am.
Meanwhile the Castlemaine Magpies Under 16R1 side have booked a spot in the Bendigo Junior Football Netball League grand final.
The Castlemaine side finished on top of the table and faced second placed Huntly in last Sunday’s semi final 2 at North Bendigo Oval.
The Hawks took the game right up to the highly fancied Magpies but the Castlemaine boys kept their cool and cruised to a 24-point victory at the final siren. Castlemaine 10.8 (68) to Huntly 5.14 (44).
The Magpies securing their spot in the grand final showdown on Sunday September 15. Huntly will now look to bounce back when they tackle Strathfieldsaye in this Sunday’s preliminary final.
The Castlemaine Magpies Under 15 Junior Netball Development Squad is also off to the BSNA Grand Final after a top performance against Strathfieldsaye Tsunami last Friday evening.
In a fast-paced clash, Castlemaine made the most of their opportunities to net a seven goal win 40-33.
They now face the Eaglehawk Eagles in this Friday evening’s grand final at the Golden City Netball Courts. The girls will hit the court at 6.05pm.
The Castlemaine Magpie Women’s Football side enjoyed a week’s rest last weekend as they awaited the result of the preliminary final clash between old rivals Woorinen and Golden Square.
Square posted an upset with a 17-point win over Woorinen to secure their spot in this Friday night’s AFL Central Vic Women’s grand final against Castlemaine at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The match will kick off at 7.30pm and no doubt a big Castlemaine crowd will in in attendance to cheer the local side on as they chase a historic third consecutive premiership.
The Castlemaine Under 18s are the first football side to represent the CFNC in Bendigo Football Netball Club finals in 14 years. 
Castlemaine Magpies Under 15 Junior Development Squad will compete in the BSBA grand final this Friday evening.
