Tara Murray
It was a case of deja vu for Kyneton and Gisborne in the Bendigo Football League on Saturday.
Having played a thriller the first time between the two teams, the Tigers managed to sneak home again to keep in touch with the top five.
Wins against Gisborne have been rare for the Tigers in recent years, let alone two in one season.
Tigers president Hayden Evans said he can’t remember the last time they won the local Macedon Ranges derby twice in the one year.
“It’s happened before, but I can’t remember the last time,” he said. “It was a great game of a high standard and high intensity.
“It was pretty close all day. Gisborne got out to a three or four goal lead in front and we were able to come home in a rush.
“It was a really good day for the club.”
It was a high scoring game early with Kyneton leading by eight points at quarter time and then the Bulldogs by 15 points at the main break.
The Bulldogs were still in front by two goals at the last change. The Tigers kicked six goals to three in the final quarter to seal the 17.8 (110)-16.11 (107) win.
Thomas Quinn kicked four goals for the Tigers, with Harrison Sheahn kicking three goals and Jordan and Lucas Ludica and Jake Summers kicking two goals each.
Evans said both Ludica brothers had strong games along with Bailey McGee, Cameron Manuel, Hamish Yunghanns and Ethan Turner.
“It was really good to see a lot of the young local kids step up,” he said. “They haven’t had a lot of success against Gisborne in the past.
For the Bulldogs, Luke Ellings kicked four goals and Brad Bernacki kicked three goals. Ellings was named their best.
The win and Strathfieldsaye suffering a loss has the Tigers a game outside the top five. Gisborne is a game further back.
There are still four remains remaining. Evans said they need some luck in the round home and need to pinch a couple of wins they’re not expected to.
It’s been a big few weeks for the Tigers, with Paul Chapman stepping down as coach. The club has advertised for a new coach, with Evans saying they were hoping to have someone locked in before the end of the season.
“The transition was as good as you can hope for,” he said. “Paul was at the game yesterday [Saturday].
“We’re going through the process and a few people are interested.”
The Tigers this week face Castlemaine at Castlemaine. The first game between the two sides didn’t go ahead after Castlemaine’s Dallas Keogh-Frankling died following the under-18 match.
