Gisborne produced one of its best performances of the season to upset second-placed Eaglehawk in the Bendigo Football League.
In a game where no more than two goals separated the two teams, it was the Bulldogs, who scraped across the line 13.12 (90)-13.8 (86).
After trailing for most of the last quarter, the Bulldogs hit the front with a couple of minutes to go and were able to hold on.
Bulldogs coach Clinton Young was pleased to see how his team bounced back after a disappointing showing in their last match against ladder-leaders Strathfieldsaye.
“They [Strathfieldsaye] made us pay for our mistakes and we’ve learnt a lot from them.
“We had two weeks to prepare for Eaglehawk.
“We’re really grateful to get across the line. I’m proud of the boys … it was a good feeling post game with a lot of people around due to a past player’s day.”
Young said the win showed how far the team had come this season with them now able to match it with the top sides for longer and longer.
They’ve now won six of their past seven games and the confidence is growing among the playing group.
“To start the year we lost four games straight,” Young said.
“We were right in the game at half-time in all of those games.
“We’ve really learnt from that and [are] competing for four quarters against the better teams in the competition.
“There’s that willingness to persist and the effort is there for four quarters.”
Matthew Goodyear, Thomas Wood, Jack Scanlon and Jaidyn Owen kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs.
Young said Ethan Minns and Goodyear were the standouts, controlling the midfield.
He said they had both been big inclusions this season.
“They’re come back for different reasons this year. Ethan has had injuries the last couple of years, while Matt’s come back from the VFL.
“They’re both young fellows.”
Young was also full of praise for Josh Grabham, who is doing a good job in the ruck, in just his second season.
The Bulldogs sit sixth, just percentage outside the top five.
The win sets up a mouth-watering clash with arch rivals Kyneton this week.
The Tigers enter the match on the back of a 23-point loss to Strathfieldsaye. The Storm led by 24 points at half-time and that proved to be the difference.
Josh Govan was best for the Tigers.
Young said he was looking forward to the challenge against another one of the top sides.
“Kyneton at Kyneton,” he said. “I’m still learning about the rivalry, but no doubt two teams playing some good football, it will be a big day.”
In the netball, Gisborne had a 68-48 upset win against Eaglehawk. The Bulldogs won the first three quarters, before the teams had an even last quarter. The Bulldogs now sit four points behind Eaglehawk, which is in second.
