Seniors.
Gisborne 14.15 - 99 def Eaglehawk 13.13 - 91.
Gisborne’s bid for a finals berth remains alive following Saturday’s big game at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve.
Knowing that anything but a win was their only option, Bulldogs Coach Kevin Fitzgerald instructed his charges to “Just go out and take the game on” and the players carried out the game plan perfectly producing some of their best football for the season.
For three quarters the Dogs dictated terms. They were hard and clean at the stoppages and once in the clear played an exhilarating brand of run and carry football and by the end of the third quarter had established a commanding 47 point lead.
At that point, the game looked like it was all over but with the breeze at their backs, the Hawks managed to snag a couple of early goals and in the blink of an eye, a team who for three quarters had been completely outplayed, suddenly had a sniff and it was game on.
The Dogs were still fighting hard however they had used up a lot of their petrol tickets and the players were just about out on their feet. On the other hand Eaglehawk were on a massive roll and they slammed on 7 goals to Gisborne’s 1 in a rampaging display.
The last 5 minutes were the most nerve wracking of the year. Dog’s supporters and coaching staff alike had their hearts in their mouths as it appeared the season was slipping away but the mighty Bulldogs had other ideas calling upon the last of their energy reserves to lift again in the dying minutes and hold Eaglehawk out to record a thrilling 8 point victory.
In the rooms afterward the players were heartily congratulated by all and sundry however coach Fitzy quickly pointed out that there was still a game to win against Castlemaine this week whilst emphasising the need to stay focussed and to be prepared to face a quality opponent who would like nothing better than to finish the year with a win and in the process put Gisborne’s finals chances to bed.
Best Players – B.Sonagan, A.Belcher, P.Fitzgerald, C.Medica, T.Walsh, C.Summerfield
Goal Kickers – M.Knox 3, D.Farrugia 2, L.Crosbie 2, P.McKenna 2, H.Huntley, J.Govan, P.Fitzgerald, B.Sullivan, S.Comerford.
Reserves.
Gisborne 8.11 - 59 def Eaglehawk 5.10 - 40
It was the eagerly anticipated top of the table showdown between first placed Eaglehawk and second placed Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve on Saturday and the big clash did not disappoint.
Both teams were hungry for a win. With finals looming, Eaglehawk were looking to gain a mental edge over Gisborne while the Dog’s outfit were keen to show the Hawks that they were a much improved side and would be a formidable opponent come the pointy end of the season.
The Dogs got away to a good start and led to the tune of 1 goal by quarter time. The Hawks were able to rally in the second term and at half time the scoreboard showed Eaglehawk 5.6 – 36 leading Gisborne 4.3 – 27 however in terms of goals for the game that was where it finished for the Hawks.
In the second half, the Dogs were fantastic. They were winning the contested possessions with their fierce attack on the ball and with the backline dominating, the Dogs held Eaglehawk goalless for the last half of the game. This was an outstanding achievement given the Hawks have been one of the heaviest scoring teams in the competition this year and at the end of the game, coach Benny Talbot was very proud of the effort that his boys had produced on the day.
His side is playing with great endeavor and belief and this win shows they have the chance to go all the way this year so long as they play to instruction and stick to the game plan.
Goal Kickers – L.O’Gorman 3,T.Thorogood 3, J.Vernon, M.Maric.
Best Players– J.Vernon, L.McKenna, H.Levis, T.Thorogood, L.Burgess, M.Steinbach.
Under 18’s.
Gisborne 10.12 - 27 Def Eaglehawk 8.10 - 58
For the big game against Eaglehawk at Gardiner Reserve on Saturday, the Gisborne U18's list more resembled a casualty ward than a football team and the 16 afield rule had to be evoked to ensure the Dogs would be able to get through the game.
Jack Baker was out with gastro, BJ Calvert and Scooter Mallia had been in bed all week with the flu and with Whitey Fraser, Liam Rodgers, Jimmy O'Hare and Jacob "Puff" Parfrey all playing under duress, it promised to be a tough day at the office.
Notwithstanding all of that, there was a game of football to be played and the instructions from the two heartless coaches in Nico and Woody were to put away the violins, get your heads out of your you know what's and get ready for the challenge that was about to begin.
The Doggies started with a flurry albeit that they were kicking with what seemed like a force ten gale. Boz Doricic was rucking well in the middle and his good work was appreciated by both Liam Rodgers and James O’Hare who were working nicely in tandem to gain many clearances from the centre bounces. Up forward, Dyson Bond got off to a good start and he managed to snag a couple of early goals which had the Bulldogs going into the first break with a healthy 34 to 7 point margin.
The second stanza saw the Eaglehawk boys get a role on and they were able to capitalize on Gisborne's lack of rotations to go into the long break just 11 points adrift of the young Bulldogs outfit.
The half time instructions were clear from the coaches; “use the wind and make the most of your opportunities whilst maintaining the pressure on your Eaglehawk opponents”.
Shannon Greetham was sensational across half back repelling numerous forward moves with his strong and vigorous attack on the footy and Whitey Fraser was also in excellent form, either playing down back in a defensive post or in the forward line playing as small hit up, leading target. Liam Rodgers and Jimmy O'Hare continued to run hard and move the ball forward and Boz was still jumping well in the ruck.
Going into the last break with a slender 7 point lead and kicking into a stiff 4 to 5 goal breeze, the Gisborne boys were once again questioned by the coaches as to how much they wanted to win. Despite the duress they were under, the young Bulldogs dug deep, toiled hard and were able to maintain the pressure they had built. The boys continued to take the game on and run with the footy and thus managed to generate many shots at goal. Although slightly inaccurate, they were able to emerge victorious at the final siren to the tune of 14 points and in the process ensure that they would have the double chance going into the 2013 finals campaign.
Goal Kickers: D. Bond 5, B. Lamplugh 3, T. Wood, J. Fraser.
Best Players: J. Fraser, T. Wood, S. Greetham, J. O'Hare, L. Rodgers, H.Doricic.
Netball
U17.
The U17 game started off slowly for both teams. The Gisborne goalers took a while to get their rhythm going and whilst they had 18 shots in the first quarter, only nine of these were successful and they led Eaglehawk at the first break 9 to 5. During the next 3 quarters the girls played solid netball. The ball movement was quick, the defenders were giving their opponents nothing, the midcourt players were in control and the goal shooters finished off the good work. The final score line showed a solid victory to Gisborne 50 to Eaglehawk 24.
B Reserve.
This week the girls took on a more experienced team in Eaglehawk. Gisborne were forced to play catch up netball after the first quarter as Eaglehawk got the jump on the girls and had a handy sixteen goal lead at quarter time. To the Gisborne girls credit they worked hard for the next 3 quarters and they only conceded a further seven goals for the game however at the final bell Eaglehawk had recorded a comfortable 53 to 30 victory.
B Grade.
This was a low scoring game where both teams worked hard in the first quarter to go in at the first break with a score of 5 all. In the second quarter both teams were still giving it everything they had. The Gisborne girls capitalized on an Eaglehawk mistake and they went into the main break with a 1 goal lead and the score showing Gisborne 12 to Eaglehawk 11. The second half was all Gisborne. Every girl did their job to bring home the four points and the final score showed a Gisborne victory of 25 to Eaglehawk 14.
A Reserve.
This was a close game all day. Gisborne got off to a good start they had established a 3 goal advantage by the first break. It was unclear what happened in the second quarter as they let Eaglehawk back into the game and at half time the score showed a slender 2 point lead to Eaglehawk 15-17. In the third quarter the lead changed several times with both teams badly wanting to take the points and at three quarter time it was Gisborne 24 to Eaglehawk 27. In the last quarter Gisborne were working really hard and they managed to get on a roll. However they then made a couple of silly errors which saw Eaglehawk capitalizing on their Gisborne opponent’s mistakes and Eaglehawk scored crucial by goals which ultimately led to a victory by the Hawks 33 to Gisborne 31.
A Grade.
The Gisborne A Grade girls took a while to settle in and by the end of the first quarter it was Gisborne leading Eaglehawk 9 to 4. The second and third quarters were brilliant for the girls. Their work rate was fantastic as each and every player backed their team mate up and at three quarter time they had established a twenty seven goal lead with the score showing Gisborne 42 to the Hawks 15. Like the senior football boys in the last quarter, the girls went off the boil and they allowed Eaglehawk to out-score them by 2 goals in the final term. However the damage had been done in the previous two terms for Eaglehawk and the massive lead was too big for them to bridge and Gisborne went on to record a very comfortable to 50 to 25 victory.