Gisborne showed plenty of resolve and grit to keep its Bendigo Football League premiership hopes alive.
Bruised and battered, the Bulldogs went up to Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday to face an opponent it had not beaten this season.
South Bendigo had been a nemesis for the Bulldogs this season, but it was a case of third time lucky for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs led at each of the breaks on the way to a 14.9 (93)-8.13 (61) win and a securing a preliminary final spot.
For the Bulldogs, they suffered a massive blow heading into the match with the news that skipper Jack Reaper had torn his ACL and would be out for the rest of the year.
“Some pretty rough news, but that is footy and we move on,” Reaper said.
“I did it a few weeks ago and the physio and myself didn’t think it was that bad.
“But scans revealed the worst. Injuries happen and they’ve happened to a fair few of us boys this year.”
While many footballers were disappointed when they saw the weather on Sunday, the Bulldogs relished in the tough conditions.
Reaper said those conditions bring out the best of them.
“It suited us to a tee,” he said. “The rain stopped during the game, the rain it had copped in the morning and the two games on it chopped it up.
“It was Gardiner-sk which was nice and we were pretty happy with it, knowing we train and play in it a lot more than the competing teams.”
Reaper said the first half was a bit of an arm wrestle and they were able to make the most of their opportunities.
They led by 28 points at half time, despite having two less scoring shots.
“We showed an intent and willingness for tackling pressure and hunt the footy,” Reaper said.
“We took our chances and converted our chances. Scoreboard pressure puts some pressure on the opposition.
“I was walking off with the assistant coach at half time and didn’t realise the scoreline [9.1] was that good.”
Reaper said they were able to maintain that lead in the second half with South Bendigo unable to convert their chances in the third quarter.
No one kicked a goal in the first 20 minutes of the last quarter which played into the hands of Bulldogs.
Reaper said it was their best game since round 13.
James Gray kicked three goals for the Bulldogs. Brad Bernacki, Gray and Dylan Johnstone were named their best.
The Bulldogs now face Eaglehawk in the preliminary final on Saturday.
“We played them last week and let ourselves down,” Reaper said. “We took a lot of learnings from that game.
“We’ve beaten them twice during the year.”
