The Castlemaine Magpies made the trek to the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday to tackle the Sandhurst Dragons.
The Magpies had recruited well in the off-season with second-year coach Michael Hartley welcoming a number of new faces to the senior side including Josh Eyre (Essendon/Collingwood), Patrik Balta (Richmond VFL) Jake Stein (Gold Coast/GWS) Coby Perry (Maryborough/Nth Ballarat VFL) Ronnie Fejo (VFL), Will Marks, Rhys Smith and the returning Hunter Staples. The new recruits adding depth to Castlemaine’s local young talent.
The Magpies were looking forward to their first BFNL outing after positive pre-season performances against Northcote Park and Ivanhoe where they recorded wins in excess of 100 points.
However, Sandhurst were quick off the mark and got their first goal on the board through Fergus Greene.
Will Moran soon found a reply for the visitors and it was one apiece, but the Dragons snatched another via Hugh Schmetzer and held a five point lead at the first change.
Magpie stalwart John Watson nabbed the first six pointer of the second term, but the Dragons soon lifted smashing on another four before the Magpie coach Michael Hartley stood tall and kicked another.
Sandhurst were quick to rebound with a goal to Michael Wilkinson before newly returned Magpie Hunter Staples kicked their fourth. But the Dragons had all the answers snatching another as the siren sounded for half-time.
At the break, 23 points separated the sides.
Will Brohm opened the third with a goal for the home side, before Magpie Matthew Filo found some form kicking two goals in succession to give the Magpies some hope.
However, the Dragons soon locked things down, adding another three to their own tally to hold a 40-point advantage at three-quarter-time.
Patrik Balta and John Watson kicked another goal each for the Magpies in the final term, but the Dragons roared home with another four of their own to eventually win by 54 points.
Best for the Magpies were Brodie Byrne, Bailey Henderson, Michael Hartley, Hunter Staples, Harrison Sheahan and Matthew Filo.
The Magpie Reserves had a brighter start to the season with a seven point win over the Dragons. Sandhurst got the jump on Castlemaine early on, but to their credit the side fought back to within one point at halftime. They continued to work hard in the second half to run out winners at the final siren.
Best were Dylan Hickey with four goals, Declan Slingo, Ben McConachy, Rhys Smith, Alton Bracken and Luke Walters.
The Magpie Under 18s had a tough outing going down to a dominant Sandhurst by 56 points.
Chaz Holman was among the Magpies best kicking 3, along with Jack Balcombe, Oliver Britt, Mitchell McKnight and Cooper Mark.
Eloise Gretgrix was in top form kicking seven goals for the Magpies. Photo: Peter Banko 
Magpie 17 & Under player Ellie Clifford looks for an option. Photo: Peter Banko
NETBALL
On the netball court A Grade had a tough bout against the Dragons going down 61-18. B Grade lost 31 to 70. A Reserve threw everything they had at the Dragons but lost 72-33. B Reserve had a really hard slog going down by 80 despite their best efforts, and the 17 and Under side lost to Sandhurst 61-18.
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
The three-time premiership winning Castlemaine Magpie Women’s team kicked off their 2025 AFL Central Victoria Women’s season on Sunday April 6 with a blistering 167-point win over North Bendigo.
In round two of the AFL Central Victoria Women’s competition on Sunday at Ewing Park Castlemaine again outshone a determined Sandhurst Dragons winning by 104 points.
Vice-captain Eloise Gretgrix was on song kicking seven goals and was well supported by Jemma Finning, Brianna Burt, Tiahna Cochrane, Maeve Tupper and Taylah Sartori.
This year the Magpies are not fielding an Under 18 Women’s side, opting to field an Under 15 Girls side, which is set to kick off their 2025 campaign in a few weeks.
THIS WEEKEND
This weekend the Castlemaine Football Netball Club will host a blockbuster Good Friday round at the Camp Reserve on April 18 when they host Golden Square. The 17 and Under Netballers (10am) and Under 18 footballers (10.45am) will kick off the action, and the Magpie Women will cap off the day when they host the Bulldogs from 5.30pm for what should be a top clash under lights.
