Gisborne live to fight another day

Gisborne won its first ever final. Picture supplied

Gisborne’s debut season will continue for another week thanks to victory in its elimination final in the AFL Goldfields Women’s Football League.

The Bulldogs went into the division 2 final on Sunday as red-hot favourites against Redan Gold, which hadn’t won a game for the season.

But Bulldogs coach Anthony Carrigg said the 8.2 (50)-0.2 (2) win was far from easy.

“Redan has improved,” he said.

“We never thought we had an easy game and knew that we had to play our best footy.

“They made us work for the win. They structured up really well.

“We had a few girls who have played football before and know how to finish it off. That was the difference.”

Natalie Dowdy, who was named the division 2 best-and-fairest winner on Friday night, kicked three goals in the win.

Francesca Stevens, Bianca Zeinstra and Kate Donovan were named the Bulldogs’ best.

The only downside for the Bulldogs was a few key players missing the match due to season ending injuries.

The Bulldogs will face Drysdale in a semi-final on Sunday. The Hawks lost to Bacchus Marsh at the weekend.

Carrigg said it would be another opportunity for the side to develop.

Meanwhile, in division 1, Sunbury Kangaroos lost to Redan. The Kangaroos will face East Point this week.