Seniors.
Gisborne 15.13 – 103 def Kangaroo Flat 12.14 - 86.
The Bulldogs made the trip up to Dower Park to square off against Kangaroo Flat knowing that they had to win to keep their finals aspirations alive. They also knew that they would have to be right at the top of their game being as Flat are a very good side and would be tough to beat especially on their home turf.
The Dogs concerns were well founded as Flat came out with all guns blazing. Flat are a young side and may not have many big name players but that did not prevent them from playing a terrific brand of football that belied their lowly position on the ladder. For three quarters they led the Bulldogs on a merry chase and with a 13 point break at three quarter time it appeared that an upset was on the cards.
2013 has been a tough year for the Dogs. A delayed start to the season and injuries to key players at critical times has made it very difficult to gather any momentum. Going into the last quarter they were on the ropes and it looked like their season was just about done but as the old saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” and so was the case as the experienced quartet of Summerfield, Messaoudi, Scott Walsh and Belcher refused to give in. With a magnificent display of sheer guts and willpower, they dragged their side back from the brink and orchestrated a scintillating final term that saw the Dogs slam on 6 goals to Flats 1 to eventually run out winners by 17 points.
Coach Kevin Fitzgerald was very complimentary of Kangaroo Flat’s effort and at the same time very proud of his team’s never say die attitude in fighting back when all seemed lost. Casey Summerfield came in for special mention and rightly so as he played a magnificent captains game which was even more special considering what was on the line for the Bulldogs.
Best Players – C.Summerfield, H.Huntley, S.Walsh,A.Belcher, T.May,L.Crosbie.
Goal Kickers – M.Knox 4, H.Huntley 3, L.Crosbie 3, T.May 2, O.Messaoudi 2, S.Comerford
Reserves.
Gisborne 15.9 - 99 def Kangaroo Flat 2.6 – 18
The juggernaut that is the Gisborne Reserves rolled on last Saturday as they systematically and comprehensively dismantled Kangaroo Flat in a dominant display at Dower Park.
After a solid first quarter, the boys flipped the switch in the second term to kick 6 straight and effectively shut the gate on Flat and they rolled on in the second half to eventually record a massive 81 point victory.
The Dogs win was largely built around a solid all round team performance highlighted by a BOG game by Luke Burgess and a six goal haul by Lachie O’Gorman who looks to be over his recent shoulder complaints. Micky Steinbach and Darcy Rocard were busy all day keeping up a constant supply of quality ball to the forwards and they were well supported by Eamon McKenna and Heath Levis who were impassable in the back half.
This week is the big one against table leaders Eaglehawk and there appears to be a strong resolve amongst this tightly knit group to produce a quality performance. It is sure to be an enthralling battle given that the Doggies are the highest scoring team in the competition and they are up against the leagues tightest defensive unit in Eaglehawk.
Coach Benny Talbot has his team peaking at the right end of the season and is sure to have the boys cherry ripe and primed for a big one against the Hawks. It will be a ripper.
Goal Kickers – L.O’Gorman 6, T.Hynson 3, T.Thorogood 2, C.Illman 2, M.Steinbach.
Best Players– L.Burgess, L.O’Gorman, D.Rocard, M.Steinbach, E.McKenna, H.Levis
Under 18’s.
Gisborne 18.9 - 117 Def Kangaroo Flat 3.6 – 24
The Gisborne U18's lined up with their co-captains Govan and McKenna back in the line-up albeit they were without two reliable defenders in Dan Glenister and Pat Trotta who pulled out with shingles and back soreness respectively. The ground was quite soggy after a deluge in Bendigo the night before, however the young Doggies were primed to make a fast start to make use of the dry ball in the first quarter.
Doricic was fantastic at the centre ball ups giving first use of the ball to Govan, Baker, Rodgers and co, whilst up forward Pat McKenna was damaging with his sure hands and straight kicking. The boys went into the quarter time break with a 48 point lead and the second term realized much of the same. James O'Hare was chiming in with some terrific link play offering relentless running from the half back line deep into the Bulldogs forward line and in the process providing the forwards numerous opportunities to score goals. The forwards made the most of these opportunities and the Dogs went into the long break with a very handy 10 goal lead.
The coaches implored their young charges to kick on in the second half. James Fraser was ever reliable down back and with help from BJ Calvert, Rob Andrews and Jacob Parfrey, the back six were miserly in defence. O'Hare, Baker, and Pat McKenna continued to build on their first half efforts and they worked the Flat boys over hard. To Flats credit they did not give in however the Gisborne outfit proved to be far too strong and they eventually rolled on to a solid 93 point win.
The focus now goes onto Eaglehawk with the GFNC welcoming the top age Gisborne Rookies U16's down to have a look and get a taste of what life is like in the senior Bulldogs Kennel.
Goals: P.McKenna 5, L.Rodgers 3, T.Wood 2, T.Crosbie 2, J.Baker 2, H.Doricic 2, B.Lamplugh, L.Logan.
Best Players: J.O’Hare, H.Doricic, J.Baker, J.Fraser, P.McKenna.
Netball
What a great day to play netball and Kangaroo Flat really turned the on the good weather.
U17.
This was going to be a top game with 1 taking on 2 and the Gisborne girls started off well keeping pace with Flat to go in at the first break even at 9 all . In the second quarter the girls let Flat in with a couple of silly mistakes and at half time it was 20 – 22 in Flats favour. In the second half Gisborne worked hard but could not shake off the Flat girls. They made a couple of bad passing decisions which Flat took full advantage of making the girls pay on the scoreboard and ultimately the final score showed Gisborne going down 37- 47.
B Reserve.
The B Res. girls took to the court with a great determination to go out and match it with Flat. For the first three quarters the scores were even with both sides going goal for goal and neither side were making any mistakes and at 3/4 time the scores were still locked together at 31 all. The last quarter was going to be a game of who could best hold their nerve and make the least mistakes and it was Gisborne who were able to play the steadier, safer netball to run out winners by 3 points with the final score line reading Gisborne 44 to Kangaroo Flat 41. Well done girls.
B Grade.
This week Gisborne took on Flat who were third on the ladder. The Gisborne girls worked hard for the whole game but just did not have the answers to Flat’s shooting power. Final scores Gisborne 26 to Kangaroo Flat 56.
A Reserve.
This was the other close game of the day and it was a game for defenders with such low scoring. The first half of the game belonged to Gisborne as they moved the ball well and backed each other up to take a 4 goal lead into the main break. G15- 11. In the second half Kangaroo Flat capitalized on a couple of Gisborne mistakes and brought the score back to a 1 goal difference at three quarter time. Gisborne did not panic and they were able to keet a level head and eventually run out winners and in the process secure their spot in the finals. The final score was Gisborne 28 to Kangaroo Flat 27.
A Grade.
This was another game where 1 and 2 on the ladder were squaring off. The only difference with the U17 game was the result. The A Grade girls came out firing from the first whistle. They jumped Flat and by quarter time had established a handy 7 goal lead. After such a good start the classy Gisborne outfit just kept on applying the pressure by playing hard and fast netball. Flat did their best to get back into the game but the Gisborne girls wanted to send out a message with the finals looming and they did not allow Flat any opportunities to catch up. The final score showed a solid 56 to 39 victory to Gisborne.