By Tara Murray
Gisborne is through to the AFL Goldfields’ women’s competition preliminary final after a strong win against an undermanned Carisbrook.
Carisbrook came into the match with just 14 players, compared to the Bulldogs 20.
While both teams played 14 players each on the field, the Bulldogs had plenty of run and were able to rotate through the bench.
It took until the third quarter for the Bulldogs to break open the game, they went on to win
7.5 (47) – 3.1 (19).
Bulldogs coach Anthony Carrigg said it was a little difficult having so many players on the bench.
“We had 20 players and we had to run them through the bench. Half way through the third quarter we kicked away.
“They had the wind in the final quarter, so you never know. We were able to grind it out.
“They had their backs against it.”
Carrigg said Brianna Woodburn, Jess D’Antonio and Lisa Borg were the best in the win.
Borg, who is the side’s co-coach, came out of retirement late in the season when the Bulldogs were short on numbers.
She kicked four goals on Sunday.
Carrigg said you can’t buy the experience that Borg brings. She played more than 150 games for the Sunbury Lions.
“She puts on heaps of pressure in the forward line and is a quick thinker,” he said.
“She knows where the goals are and makes a huge difference and helps bring the other players into the game.”
The win means the Bulldogs have made it a game further than they did last season.
Carrigg said anything else now is a bonus.
“The girls are absolutely stoked,” he said.
“At the start of the season we weren’t sure where we would end up. Everything is a bonus.”
Gisborne will face East Point in the preliminary final. East Point lost to Redan in their semi-final.
It was a big week for the Bulldogs, with Jess D’Antonio claiming the league’s best and fairest award.
D’Antonio finished on 20 votes, four votes clear of Melton Centrals Rachel Jackson.
Natalie Dowdy, who claimed the division 2 best and fairest last season, was named in the team of the year alongside D’Antonio.
In other AFL Goldfields’ finals, Sunbury Kangaroos won through to the Riddell District youth girls under-18 grand final.
They defeated Gisborne Blue 2.6 (18)-0.2 (2).
Kangaroos’ Abbey McDonald, who is just 14 years old, claimed her division’s best and fairest award.
Gisborne White won its semi-final against Melton Centrals in the under-13 girls competition.
