In the final round of the Bendigo Football Netball League home and away season the Castlemaine Magpies made the trek to Canterbury Park to take on tough competition in Eaglehawk.
It was a big day for Magpie young gun Cooper Mark who made his debut for the Seniors against the Hawks.
The home side got on top early kicking three goals to the Magpies one in the first term and led by 13 points at quarter-time.
The second quarter was tight with both sides kicking a goal each and the Hawks led by 19 points at half-time.
The Magpies worked hard to make the most of their opportunities in the third term kicking three goals to the Hawks’ two to win the quarter but still trailed by 10 points at the final change.
Eaglehawk threw everything they had at the Magpies in the fourth term kicking another four goals and holding their visitors to one to eventually claim a 27-point win.
Best for the Magpies were Patrik Balta with 3 goals, Ryan Eyre, Michael Hartley, Kalan Huntly, Oscar Giddings and Joshua Eyre.
In the Reserves, the Magpies started strongly and led up to half-time against a lacklustre Eaglehawk. The Hawks regrouped and dominated in the second half eventually overrunning a determined Magpie outfit by 40 points.
Best were Declan Slingo, Archie Rixon, Thomas Ford, Ashton Frankling, Brodie Browne-Kerr and Bradley Keogh who kicked two goals.
Despite the loss, the Magpies finish the season in fourth spot on the ladder with eight wins under their belt and progress to this weekend’s elimination final.
The Under 18s also started on the front foot and led up until three-quarter-time. However, the Hawks found an edge in the final term kicking another 3.6 while keeping the Magpies scoreless to win by 12 points.
Best for the Magpies were Harper Kneebone, Tadgh Cananzi, Patrick Leathem, Caspian Lord, Jackson Balcombe and Jeremy Barnes who kicked two goals.
WOMEN THROUGH TO GF
The Castlemaine Women’s Football side has secured a spot in its fourth consecutive AFL Central Vic grand final after recording a 35-point win over Golden Square in Semi Final 1 on Sunday.
It was a blockbuster day of footy action at the Camp Reserve with the club also hosting Semi Final 2 between Eaglehawk and Sandhurst in which the Hawks emerged victorious by 13 points.
The match up between the top placed Magpies and second placed Bulldogs was neck and neck up until half-time with Golden Square leading by five points at the long break.
But Castlemaine showed their class and experience in the second half piling on another eight goals to the Bulldogs’ two to secure a comfortable win.
Best for the Magpies in a top team effort were Jemma Finning, Maeve Tupper, Eillish Cumming, Grace Brady, Amelia Britt and Abbey Bertram.
The side will now enjoy a week’s rest before striving their win their fourth consecutive AFL Central Vic flag, while Golden Square will get a second chance when they face Eaglehawk in the Preliminary Final this Friday evening August 29 at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
NETBALL
On the netball court Sarah McLean celebrated her 50th game for the Magpies and the A Reserve side celebrated a well-earned 51-42 win over Eaglehawk.
B Grade lost 49-21 in a tough battle. B Reserve lost 69-20. 17 & Under went down 36-29 in a close contest.
FINALS BEGIN
In finals action this weekend, the Castlemaine Reserves will contest the Elimination Final at the Queen Elizabeth Oval at 12.15pm. The Women’s Football side will enjoy a week’s rest before their grand final showdown on Friday September 5.
