Castlemaine finish round in top five after first up win

After fears it might not field a team in 2023, Castlemaine achieved a five-year first over the weekend in Bendigo football. Find out how the club fought the odds.

Castlemaine knows challenges remain ahead for the club this season but for now its celebrating.

The Blues started their new Bendigo league season with an 11-point over Maryborough in wet and wild conditions at Princes Park.

It was the first time they’ve won a first round match in five years.

It was also the first time since Round 1, 2018 the team has ended the week in the top five.

They were as high as sixth last year before falling to their bottom two finish.

Castlemaine won the match in the final quarter, kicking 3.5 to 0.1, to overcome an 11-point deficit at three-quarter-time.

Castlemaine's Jackson Hoods tries to win the contest against Maryborough’s Ty Stewart. Picture: Peter Banko

Inaccurate kicking, which saw them 1.8, from their first three quarters almost cost them dearly.

“We had the run of play all day, it was just poor (ball) use going forward,” Castlemaine president Caleb Kuhle said.

“We adjusted to those conditions (wet), albeit late, at the right time and kicked away, which was really pleasing.

“We had a bit of added experience in our group, so it was always going to come to light.”

Kuhle said most of the damage was done by recruits Matt Filo and Daniel Lawson.

Filo returned to the club after playing for Lake Boga last season with Lawson coming from Monash in the VAFA and only being signed a couple of days before the season start.

“(Filo was) a classy in and under midfielder and showed how needed he was (in the game),” Kuhle said.

“Lawson was fantastic and very clean in very wet conditions. They were very big pickups for us.”

Castlemaine celebrate winning against Maryborough in round 1. Picture: Peter Banko

Kuhle and the club understand their position in the top five isn’t guaranteed with matches against last year’s grand finalists, Gisborne and Strathfieldsaye, to come.

“I won’t beat around the bush about it but I assume we will be down the bottom within a few rounds,” he said.

“It would be nice if it was a mainstay but we are realistic about our position.

“To have the reigning premiers lose round one, on their home turf, it’s not going to make it easier for us (to play them) it’s probably going to make it harder.

“They’ll have a point to prove.

“It will be a tough day for us but it is good to be able to test yourself and figure out where you are at.”

Kuhle said the performance hopefully proves the club was here to stay and any rumours about their downfall and the Magpies folding is just that.

“A few months is a short time in football,” he said.

“There was a lot of people suggesting we weren’t going to be there this year and for the foreseeable future.

“Up until Thursday I was still getting calls from people saying I’ve heard you’ve folded how are you going.

“Getting a win in round 1 shows the resilience of the players and the club with all the outside noise about them.”

Castlemaine plays their first game at home this season against Gisborne on Saturday at 2.20pm.

In other results from round one, Gisborne lost to Strathfieldsaye in the grand final replay by 12 points with Eaglehawk beating South Bendigo by 10 points, Sandhurst getting on top of Kangaroo Flat by eight points and Golden Square beating Kyneton by 64 points in Jack Geary’s 200th.