Gisborne warmed up for the Bendigo Football League finals in stunning fashion on Saturday.
While they still had a chance of the minor premiership and first week off in finals, the Bulldogs were focused on finishing the regular season strongly.
Facing Kangaroo Flat, it was all one-way traffic at Dower Park.
The Bulldogs kicked eight goals in the first quarter, which would be their lowest scoring quarter for the game.
The margin grew to 97 points at half time. It didn’t stop there with the Bulldogs kicking another 20 goals in the second half to run away with a 37.14 (236)-6.3 (39) win.
Pat McKenna kicked eight goals, the second time he has kicked eight in a game this season.
It took him to third on the goal kicking for the season.
Harry Luxmoore, who finished second in the goalkicking, and Matthew Merrett kicked six goals each as 13 players hit the scoreboard.
Brad Bernacki, who kicked three goals, was named best on ground. Flynn Lakey and Shane Clough were other standouts for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs win wasn’t enough to bridge the percentage gap to Sandhurst, which sealed the minor premiership with a win against Castlemaine.
The Bulldogs will now face Strathfieldsaye in a qualifying final in week one of the finals.
The final will be played on Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The under-18s will play a qualifying final, while the reserves have a week off after finishing top.
Off field, the Bulldogs have locked in a number of their stars for next season.
Jack Scanlon, Merrett, McKenna, Braidon Blake, Bernacki and Jack Reaper have signed on. Coach Rob Waters has also signed on for next season.
In the A-grade netball, Gisborne locked in top spot and first week of finals off.
The Bulldogs faced Kangaroo Flat in a top of the table clash.
Gisborne won 53-25 to finish eight points clear on top of the ladder.
The Bulldogs A-grade, A-reserve and B-grade sides all have this week off after finishing top.
The B-reserve side finished second and will play in a qualifying final, while the under-17s snuck into fifth and will play an elimination final.
Like the footballers, there’s been a number of re-signings for the netball program.
Tarryn Rymer will coach on next season.
Captains Claudia Mawson and Kirby Elliott, along with Charlee Kemp and Torie Skrijel are locked in for next season.
