Gisborne has closed the gap between it and the top sides in the AFL Goldfield’s Women’s competition.
The Bulldogs were easily beaten the first time they faced undefeated ladder-leaders Redan, but it was a much closer affair when the two teams faced off on Sunday.
While Redan still had a 6-8 (44)-1.2 (8) win, the Bulldogs stuck with them until half-time.
Speaking before the match, Bulldogs’ coach Anthony Carrigg said the team would take a lot out the game with Redan and it’s next game against second-placed East Point.
He said the team would look to try things that might help them come finals time.
“It’ll give us some idea how to play them,” he said. “We played them early in the season and we hadn’t gelled together then.
“We’ve [since] learned where they can play and what they are capable of.
“We’ll go out there with our minds on the job and the results might be closer.”
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs remain in fourth place.
Carrigg said it was a fair assessment of where they are at.
“I reckon when you look at the teams we’ve played, especially with the injuries, that’s about where we are at the moment.
“We’ve had a few players out, which isn’t helping us. Hopefully we’ll get a few girls back to help prop the team back up.
“We’re back to having 18 players, it would be ideal to have at least 20.
“We haven’t had the luxury of having a bench.”
Carrigg said despite the injuries, he had been thrilled with how the side had played this season.
Last season they played finals in division 2, this year they are fourth in a division one competition.
He said every player who had stepped on the field, including some youth league players, had improved.
“It’s amazing how the team has gelled together, it’s been a really even spread. We picked up a couple of former Port Melbourne players and it makes a difference. I’m very happy.”
There is three rounds left before finals, with the Bulldogs having a bye in the final round.
Carrigg said he had heard the finals system was the same as that used last year, with the top five teams playing finals.
He said he didn’t want to make any predictions of what the Bulldogs could do.
“Anything can happen in finals,” he said.
