Round 5 proudly sponsored by
Seniors
Gisborne 12.17 - 89 def Sandhurst 10.7 – 67
This week, the Gisborne boys were primed for a big game against Sandhurst and were determined to not let last week’s win against Maryborough go to waste. Come the first bounce they attacked the contest with great ferocity, getting off to a flyer and in the process putting their Sandhurst opponents on the back foot right from the start. “Marky” Maric, who has stepped up and filled the shoes of the injured Waters magnificently, was rucking well, and the midfield, comprising of Comerford, Messaoudi, Krispyn, May and Fitzgerald were quick to take advantage of his great work winning plenty of the ball. By quarters end the Doggies had posted 4.4 whilst the backline had held the Dragons to a miserly 3 points giving Gisborne a 25 point edge over their opponents. The ball movement from the back half into the forward line was quick and precise and the Gisborne boys deserved their lead.
The second quarter saw Sandhurst mount a determined fight back kicking 3 goals for the term however the Gisborne outfit were more than up to the task weathering the storm and managing to post 2 more majors of their own and thus maintain the advantage they had built earlier. Matt Knox and Harrison Huntley were proving more than a handful for the Sandhurst back’s with their strong, aggressive leads and launch at the footy and for the fourth week in a row Dan Weaver was doing a tremendous job out on his wing.
The third quarter was a rugged affair with both sides not giving an inch. The Gisborne backline were teaming well and was very solid with Tim Walsh providing great rebound off half back and being ably supported by the likes of Sharp, Simpson and Belcher. The advantage to the Dogs was a touch more than six goals by the end of the term and albeit for some inaccurate kicking, could have possibly been considerably more.
In the last, Sandhurst were able to mount a rearguard action which saw them pile on 6 majors for the term however Gisborne were able to post 3 goals of their own to hold out the fast finishing Dragons in what proved to be an entertaining game of football at Gardiner Reserve. Although still probably not at their very best, the boys are showing signs that they are headed in the right direction which is a good indication that the solid work that “Fitzy” and the coaching staff are putting in will pay dividends as the season progresses.
Goal Kickers – M.Knox 3, H.Huntley 3, S.Comerford 2, T.May, P.Fitgerald, E.Minns, L.Crosbie
Best – O.Messaoudi, T.May, P.Fitzpatrick, D.Weaver, T.Walsh, J.Krispyn
Reserves
Gisborne 17.11 – 113 def Sandhurst 10.5 - 65
Gisborne Reserves were once again on the winners list after a comprehensive and impressive victory against the Sandhurst Dragons. As was the case last week against Maryborough, the Gisborne boys were able to apply early scoreboard pressure to Sandhurst with a very accurate display in the first quarter posting 7.1 to Sandhurst’s 3 straight goals and thus affording the Dogs a handy 4 goal break at the first change. The midfield of Grech, Sullivan and Nightscales were dominant which ensured a steady supply of quality entries into an open forward line where the Dogs forwards were converting well. The second quarter saw the Dogs maintaining their workrate and intensity and by half time had extended the lead to 7 goals with Campbell putting on a clinic and Rocard getting plenty of possessions. During the long break the Dragons coaching staff must have had some stern words with their players as Sandhurst came out with a greater intensity, hurling everything at the Gisborne outfit and kicking 4 goals for the term. The Dogs however weathered the storm and with Headberry dominating, were able to see off the challenge and maintain the half time lead with a handy 4 goals of their own. The final quarter was much the same as the third where both sides attacked the ball strongly and both teams were able to post 2 more majors apiece. However the Dogs had inflicted the damage on the Dragons in the first half and with the dominant midfield on the day, coupled with disciplined backs and polished forwards, they were able to come away with a percentage boosting 48 point win.
Goal Kickers – J.Campbell 4, T.Hynson 4, N.Johnson 3, L.Jacobs 2, J.Krispyn, T.Thorogood, T.Bannan, L.Burgess, B.Sullivan.
Best – L.Burgess, T.Hynson, R.Nightscales, J.Campbell, T.Cecil, J.Krispyn
Under 18’s
Gisborne 11.6 - 72 def Sandhurst 11.5 - 71
In what promised to be an exciting clash between league leaders Sandhurst and second placed Gisborne, the game lived up to all expectations with the Doggies clinching the game by one point after a ripping goal from midfielder Ollie Clough was scored in the dying minutes of the game. The Gisborne boys expected it to be a tough day with three of their major playmakers having to leave early in the third quarter due to “debutante” commitments and indeed a tough, tight contest it turned out to be. Coach Paul “Nico” Nichols asked his charges to apply maximum pressure to the Dragons for the entire game and the boys carried out his instructions perfectly. Gisborne came out of the blocks fast. “Boz” Doricic was leaping high and winning the centre tap outs whilst both Josh Govan and Shannon Greetham were giving the Sandhurst boys plenty to worry about with their attack on the footy at the stoppages. The young Dogs went into both the first change and the long break with a solitary one goal lead in both instances however were positive that if the pressure that they had built in the first half could be maintained, then they would have a real chance to overcome the talented Sandhurst outfit.
In the third quarter, McKenna, Trotta and “Libba” Rodgers were all good until the lure of the “Deb” and the promise of a big night called and after their departure, the remaining Doggies really had to lift in an effort to cover their loss. Josh Crook and James Fraser began to repeatedly repel the ball out of the Dogs backline in a disciplined display from both, while Jimmy O'Hare continued his great early season form out on his wing. Trent Crosbie was also tough at the contests and showed polish with his great finishing skills to post a major himself. Albeit that the young Bulldogs were up against it in the third stanza after Sandhurst got on a roll where they were able to post three majors and afford themselves a one goal last quarter advantage, the Dogs dug deep and continued to pressure hard and were able to kick a couple of crucial goals in the last quarter and come home the victors by one point.
The coaches were pleased with the efforts of the young Dogs, who adhered to the game plan, held their structure and carried out coach Nico's mantra that "Actions speak louder than words" So now onto Flat and the chance to consolidate a spot near the top of the 18's ladder.
GoalKickers: Bond 3, Mckenna 2, Lamplugh 2, Williams, Crosbie, Clough, Govan
Best Players: Govan, Crook, Doricic, Fraser, Crosbie, O'Hare
Round 4 Netball Summaries.
This week we played Sandhurst at home with mixed results. The A grade and the 17/u took the points while the other 3 teams battled on.
The A grade game was very fast from the beginning with both teams going for everything that came their way Gisborne went into the first break with a slender lead. As the game progressed the Gizzy girls disciplined netball and increased their lead every quarter to run out comfortable winners.
A. reserve, B grade and B. reserve all battled hard against stronger Sandhurst teams.
The 17/u started off well even though they had three younger girls to help them out due to five of their regular players out doing their deb, the girls worked hard in this quarter to give themselves a five goal lead. In the 2nd quarter the girls were more settled and the nerves of the young ones disappeared and they went on to double their score 16-7. The Gizzy girls played a solid second half game of netball to run out comfortable winners