Castlemaine Football Netball Club’s senior women’s football side has achieved the elusive ‘three-peat’ claiming their third consecutive premiership victory in the AFL Central Vic Women’s League.
The Magpies once again lifted the premiership cup after a decisive 31-point victory over Golden Square in drizzly conditions at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Friday night.
Both sides took some time to settle in the opening term before Golden Square secured the first goal of the game off the boot of Paynton Jolliffe.
Castlemaine soon replied with goals to Brianna Burt and Rachael Stubbings to lead by seven points at the first change.
The Magpies dominated in the second term with another three goals, before the Bulldogs managed to peg one back through Victoria Winstanley.
Castlemaine captain Tiahna Cochrane added another just before half-time to see the Magpies leading by 27 points at the long break.
The third term was once again an arm wrestle with Square eventually wresting another goal via Paynton Jolliffe, before Brianna Burt nabbed another for the Magpies.
The difference was 25 points at the last change.
Golden Square continued to work hard in the last term but failed to find positive reward on the scoreboard and a final goal to Magpie Eloise Gretgrix put the result beyond doubt and secured Castlemaine a third straight premiership win etching them into the club history books. Final scores Castlemaine 8.5 (53) to Golden Square 3.4 (22).
Best for the Magpies were Brianna Burt with three goals, Jemma Finning, Abbey Bertram, Maeve Tupper, Lily den Houting and Beppina Marshall.
Jemma Finning prepares to unleash a kick. Photo: Peter Banko 
Maeve Tupper about to mark the ball. Photo: Peter Banko 
Brianna Burt handballs to Rachael Stubbings. Photo: Peter Banko
NETBALL SQUAD CLAIMS FLAG
It was a night of celebration for the Magpies with the club’s 15 and Under Netball Development Squad also claiming a grand final victory in the inaugural season of the Central Victoria Netball Association competition (amalgamation of the Bendigo Strathdale and Golden City Netball Associations) over the Eaglehawk Eagles 31-24.
On Sunday the club was also proud to have its Under 18 men’s football side tackle Gisborne in the Bendigo Football Netball League first semi final at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Gisborne got the first goal on the board but Castlemaine soon bounced back with two goals of their own from Chaz Holman. The Bulldogs snuck another one through before quarter-time and led by three points.
The Magpies kept their work rate up in the second kicking another two goals and the Bulldogs replied with two, with both sides locked on 29 points at half-time.
Gisborne upped the ante in the third slamming on another four goals and holding the Magpies scoreless to open up a 28-point lead at three-quarter-time.
Castlemaine rallied in the final term dominating with goals to Jackson Balcombe, Mitchell McKnight and Chaz Holman. But Gisborne eventually recovered and got one back off the boot of Noah Gauci to help the side to a 15-point win.
Gisborne was well led by Campbell Johns, Jacob Floreani, Baden Dickins, Thomas Dawson and Diesel Lewis.
Best for the Magpies were Thomas Ford, Archie Rixon, Chaz Holman, Mitchell McKnight, Alton Bracken and Jackson Balcombe.
Gisborne will now face Golden Square in this Saturday’s preliminary final at the Queen Elizabeth Oval at 10.45am to decide who will face Sandhurst in the big one.
However, the finals campaign is not over yet for the Magpies with the club’s Under 16R1 football side having also booked a spot in the Bendigo Junior Football Netball League grand final this Sunday September 15.
The Castlemaine side finished on top of the table and defeated second-placed Huntly in semi final two to secure their spot in the final and a week’s rest.
Huntly bounced back with a 31-point win over Strathfieldsaye Storm last Sunday to secure their spot and a rematch against the Magpies this weekend.
