Newcomers take on reigning champions

ONE of three newcomers to the Champions IGA-backed Central Victoria FL senior women’s footy competition, Sandhurst takes on reigning premier Castlemaine in this Sunday’s opening round.

It’s a new-look CVFL in ’24 as the league has nine teams in the senior women’s league and a seven-team under-18s competition.

It’s a huge challenge for the Andrew Saladino-coached Sandhurst in its CVFL debut.

The Dragons and Magpies will play from 1pm at Mercy Junortoun Sports Precinct. Unbeaten in its run to the ’23 premiership, Castlemaine is again the team to beat.

The Jordan Cochrane-coached Magpies have plenty of versatility, marking power and skill.

Marong and White Hills will mark their first appearance in the senior women’s competition when they play at Marong’s Malone Park from 1.30pm.

David Blume and Jimmy Evenden are joint coaches of Marong, and Phil Murley is coaching White Hills.

Eaglehawk is home at Canterbury Park to take on Bendigo Thunder from 12.45pm. After last year’s third placing, Eaglehawk will again be coached by Molly Metcalf and Geoff West.

Thunder missed last year’s finals and has appointed Mick McInnes as coach.

The Ross Egleton-coached North Bendigo is on home turf at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to take on the Katelyn Hazlett-coached Woorinen from 1.30pm.

Last season’s runner-up, Woorinen will start favourite to take the points against the red, white and blue.

The Nathan Manuel-coached Golden Square has the bye.

The Bulldogs start their season against Eaglehawk in the April 12 night game at 7.15pm in Canterbury Park.