Seniors.
Strathfieldsaye 13.9 – 87 def Gisborne 6.12 – 48.
It turned out to be another tough day at the office for the Gisborne Dogs as they faced off against Strathfieldsaye Storm on Saturday at the “graveyard”. Gardiner Reserve has proven to be a hoodoo ground for Strath in recent years so the incentives were high for them to record a victory. The Dogs on the other hand, were desperate for a win to stay in the hunt for a finals berth. They knew that they would have to be right at the top of their game because the Storm are a top side and rightly so, as they boast quality players across all lines.
As expected both sides smashed into the contest with neither side prepared to give an inch and both coaches would have been happy with the intensity levels and work rate from their respective teams. The game was being played at a cracking pace however it was Storm who were ahead to the tune of 11 points at quarter time, more due to the fact that they were a little steadier in front of goal.
In the second term and despite being under tremendous pressure, the Gisborne boys were able to win plenty of the ball and generate many entries into their forward 50 however they were unable to get any reward for effort as they scored 1.6 for the term. On the flip side, this did not allow any scoreboard pressure to be put onto the Storm who were able to post 3.2 themselves and extend their lead to 3 goals at the long break.
The third quarter was a difficult one for the Dogs. They tried hard and their endeavour was without question however it was Strath who were the more composed and polished side and they managed another 3.3 for the term to Gisborne’s solitary 1.1. In the blink of an eye the lead had blown out to over 5 goals and this was going to be difficult for Gisborne to rein back considering as how they had only managed 3 goals to that point of the game.
The last quarter was the Bulldogs best in terms of the scoreboard but the Storm could sense that an historic win at Gardiner was on the cards and they drove home the advantage that they had built up to score a well deserved 6 goal victory. This now leaves the Dogs in a precarious position and they will use the bye this week to recoup and steel themselves for the run home where they will need to just about win every game to ensure that they will be a part of the September action.
Best Players – T.Walsh, S.Walsh, C.Summerfield, A.Belcher.
Goal Kickers – D.Farrugia 3, J.Vernon, B.Sullivan, T.May.
Reserves.
Gisborne 7.8 - 50 def Strathfieldsaye 5.7 – 37
The second placed Dogs took on the sixth placed Storm in what promised to be an interesting encounter at Gardiner Reserve last Saturday. One of the keys for Gisborne this season has been their ability to win the first quarter and once again they were able to do this albeit not to the same extent as other games thus far due to the strong opposition put up by Strath. The Dogs managed 2.2 for the term and thanks to excellent work by the back six lead by Aaron Bates, Luke Burgess and Heath Levis, they restricted Strathfieldsaye to just 0.3 points for the quarter.
In the second stanza, the Storm got their running game going. They hit back hard and swung the momentum their way, and by the long break had managed to wrest the advantage away from the Dogs to hit the lead by 2 points. Jimmy Collins and Micky Steinbach were going well in the mid field for Gisborne and U18’s player Isaac Trickey, who was up for his first game, was also showing that he has what it takes to compete at this higher level.
The last half was a terrific game to watch with both teams attacking the contest fiercely and neither side were giving an inch. Mark Maric’s ruck work was giving the Dog’s first use of the footy which was crucial in such a tight contest and Dan Weaver was also giving his side plenty of drive.
Taking nothing away from Strath who were terrific all day, in the end the it was the great camaraderie and trust that the Gisborne boys show in one another that kept them going in such a tight contest and they came away with a well deserved 2 goal victory that further cemented their spot in the top two on the ladder.
Goal Kickers – N.Johnson, D.Weaver, I.Trickey, A.Headberry, M.Steinbach, T.Hynson, J.Crook.
Best Players– J.Collins, A.Bates, L.Burgess, M.Maric M.Steinbach, I.Trickey.
Under 18’s.
Gisborne 19.13 - 127 Def Strathfieldsaye 4.6 – 30
The Gisborne boys were primed to bounce back and make a side pay for their loss last week to Golden Square and unfortunately for Strathfieldsaye it was they who were in the firing line. Gisborne were kicking into a healthy breeze in the first term and from the word go it was apparent that the boys were “on”. In the ruck, Doricic was giving the Minns led mid field brigade the first use of the pill and with the small forward trio of Wood, Challis and Crosbie working well, Gisborne established a handy 29 to 8 score line by the end of the term.
After some further coaching instructions to the onballers and forwards during the quarter time break, the Dogs increased the lead to 39 points by half time. The back six were excellent with Glenister, Calvert and Andrews giving the Strath forwards absolutely nothing and meanwhile Trickey was giving the team great rebound run off half back.
Coach Nico implored his young charges to maintain their relentless pressure on their Storm opponents and to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Minns and Rodgers were going well in the middle and were ably assisted down back by Trotta and the ever reliable Parfrey who was like a wind up toy after taking the coach’s instructions on board. Crosbie and Wood were still dominating up forward and this helped the Gisborne boys to post 10 goals to 1 in the second half and come away with a solid win.
A weeks break and then a chance to play Kangaroo Flat up at Flat should be plenty to keep the young Dogs keen going into August.
Goals: T.Wood 6, T.Crosbie 5, D.Bond 2, E.Minns 2, J.Crook, D.Challis, L.Rodgers, I.Trickey.
Best Players: T.Wood, T.Crosbie, E.Minns, L.Rodgers, J.Parfrey, P.Trotta.