Tara Murray
Gisborne’s quest for back-to-back premierships is alive in the Bendigo Netball League after winning through to the grand final.
The Bulldogs faced Sandhurst in their first finals match, after a bye in week one of the finals, and were able to come away with a strong win and lock in a grand final spot.
Bulldogs coach Tarryn Rymer said it was a good day for them in the 51-38 win.
“There’s still a lot of things that we can work on,” she said. “It wasn’t our best game, but sometimes you have to get tough wins.
“It was a physical game and we put in the second and third efforts and that is what made us get the jump in the second half and they played really well.”
Rymer said they never know what they’re going to get when they face Sandhurst. She said they had put plenty of work in during the week.
Some of that was thrown out the window with star defender Charlotte Sexton missing for the Dragons.
Rymer said the girls to their credit were able to adjust and work hard for the four quarters.
Zoe Davies and Charlee Kemp both had strong games in defence, allowing Maddy Stewart to move up the court into the attacking end.
Claudia Mawson also had a strong game in attack.
“Everyone was good in different patches,” Rymer said. “Everyone came on and played well.
“In two weeks we want to be in our best form.”
The Bulldogs will now get the weekend off before facing the winner of the preliminary final between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.
It was good Saturday for the Bulldogs with their A-reserve and B-reserve sides won through to the grand final as well.
The A-reserve side was pushed and had one of their tightest games of the season, winning by six goals, while the B-reserve had a five goal win.
The B-grade side suffered a loss and will play in the preliminary final this Saturday.
Rymer said it was an exciting time for the club.
“The boys [senior footballers] played in a grand final in 2022 and we played in 2023,” she said.
“It’s good to have both senior sides there.
“From a netball point of view the aim was to get all five into the grand final. The under-17s last earlier and hopefully we can get B-grade over the line.”
Rymer said they would spend a fair bit of time on the court during the week off to make sure they’re ready come the grand final.
“We have the depth in the club that they can continue to push during match stimulation.”
