Castlemaine Football Netball Club’s Senior Women’s football team has claimed legendary status after securing their fifth consecutive premiership in the AFL Central Vic Women’s League.
The Magpies faced off against top-of-the-table Golden Square in rain-soaked conditions under lights at the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Friday evening.
The sides had faced off four times during the year with the Magpies winning the first encounter by 13 points, the Bulldogs the second bout by eight points, Castlemaine their third battle by 16 points, and Square claiming the Semi Final by 11 points.
The Magpies bounced back defeating Sandhurst in the preliminary final to set the stage for the ultimate showdown between the two powerhouse sides of the competition.
The Castlemaine side were determined to claim their fifth consecutive flag from five outings, while the Bulldogs were seeking validation after their devastating 2025 grand final loss.
The game opened in steady rain with Golden Square getting the upper hand early in the slippery conditions kicking 2.2 and holding the Magpies to just two points.
At quarter-time they led by two straight kicks.
The Magpies lifted in the second, getting first to the ball and making the most of their opportunities to slam on three goals to one and snatch back a narrow three-point buffer at half-time.
The rain continued to fall as the third term opened, both sides struggled to handle the footy, soccering it along the ground in desperation to push forward. Castlemaine’s experience shone through with the side clinching another vital goal and keeping the Bulldogs scoreless to go into the final term with an 11-point advantage.
The Magpies looked dangerous in the last term, relishing the wet and going hard at the ball. They kicked another 1.3, while restricting Square to just three points to extend their lead to 15 points.
As the final siren sounded there were scenes of jubilation.
The Magpies had shown their class claiming another hard earned premiership in the most challenging of conditions.
A huge throng of Magpie faithful spilled onto the ground to join them in their celebrations.
Castlemaine’s Aisling Tupper was named Best on Ground, while the AFL Victoria Country Best on Ground Medal went to Kate Douglass of Golden Square.
Other top contributors for the Magpies were Jemma Finning, Tiahna Cochrane, Taylah Sartori, Eillish Cumming and Mikaela Trethowan.
Hannah Cochrane and Maeve Tupper were also outstanding kicking two goals each.
Coach Jordan Cochrane congratulated Golden Square on an incredible season, which saw them finish on top of the ladder.
“You are just getting better and better. Stick together, keeping working hard and the rewards will come,” he said.
Cochrane said he was absolutely thrilled with the win and so proud of his side.
“They have worked so hard all season. We went into this match as the underdogs and came out on top and that is a credit to every single one of our players,” he said.
He also thanked everyone behind the scenes.
“Just look at this turn out tonight. It’s just incredible. Thanks to everyone for their support,” he said.
Under 18s bow out
The Castlemaine Magpie Under 18 Men’s squad continued its finals campaign on Sunday tackling Sandhurst in the Bendigo Football Netball League 1st Semi Final at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The first quarter was scrappy with the Dragons managing five points, while the Magpies were scoreless.
Sandhurst opened the second term with three goals in quick succession, before the Magpies finally replied with one of their own.
At half-time the Dragons led by 19 points.
Castlemaine continued to apply pressure to the Dragons in the third forcing errors in front of goal. But they eventually settled and piled on another three goals, before the Magpies returned fire with one of their own.
At the final change the margin had blown out to 35 points.
Castlemaine grabbed another two in the final term, but the Dragons found another in reply and eventually ran out winners by 31 points ending the Magpies finals hopes.
Best for the Magpies were Oscar Giddings, Angus Fitzgerald, Joshua Tull, Flynn Culph, Zachary Thompson and Harper Kneebone with 2 goals.