Injuries and a heavy workload finally took its toll on Gisborne as it was knocked out of the Bendigo Football League finals on Saturday.
The Bulldogs had battled to make it to the preliminary final against Eaglehawk after some big losses to finish the regular season.
They then lost in the first week of finals before bouncing back to have a shot at a grand final berth.
In Saturday’s preliminary final, the Bulldogs stuck with Eaglehawk for three quarters.
The margin was just seven points heading into the final quarter.
The Hawks found another gear in the final quarter, kicking four goals to none to seal a grand final spot with a 12.13 (85)-7.10 (52) win.
Injured Bulldogs skipper Jack Reaper said they ran out of legs in the end.
“We just fell short,” he said. “With the squad we hard and the boys we missing, it slowed us in the final quarter.
“We ran out of steam and they were the better side on the day.”
Reaper said they squandered chances in the second and third quarter to put themselves in front and give themselves a real shot.
Pat McKenna and Matthew Merrett kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs.
Zachary Vescovi and Brad Bernacki were named the Bulldogs best.
Reaper said they were still proud of the season that they’d had.
They had seven players suffer seven season ending issues throughout the year.
Reaper was joined on the sidelines by several key players for the finals run.
“We were missing our centre half forward, starting midfielder and ruck,” he said.
“After a couple of massive losses late in the season and losing the first final, it was a great response.
“The others did an awesome job. We spoke about the blokes that stepped up into roles they were ready for.
“We’ve accelerated their development. It’s great for the future.”
Reaper said himself and the coaching group earlier in the season in the last and felt that their list wasn’t as strong as it had been the last couple of years and lacked a bit of depth.
“We lost the preliminary final by five goals,” he said. “Had you said that at the start of the year and to that essence with where the squad was at and the injuries we had, you think what might have been and we could have played in grand final.”
The Bulldogs will now play a waiting game as they wait to find out whether their application to join the Ballarat league is successful or not.
Tara Murray
