Gisborne was left to rue missed chances in its qualifying final loss to Eaglehawk in the Bendigo Football League.
Hoping to win through to a semi-final match-up with Strathfieldsaye and a shot at a grand final spot, the Bulldogs are instead now one loss away from exiting the finals.
The loss to Eaglehawk will be one the Bulldogs look back on and wonder ‘what might have been’.
In the game until midway through the last quarter, the Bulldogs lost 13.11 (89)-7.9 (51).
Bulldogs playing coach Clinton Young said it was a disappointing game.
“We actually felt like it was a competitive game, but full credit to Eaglehawk,” he said.
“We didn’t make the most of our opportunities around the ground or inside 50.
“We played well in patches, but Eaglehawk were better when it mattered.”
Young said they had dominated much of the first half, but couldn’t put the score on the board.
The second quarter was the most disappointing.
For much of the quarter, the Bulldogs had an extra man on the field after an Eaglehawk player was sent off.
But the Bulldogs couldn’t capitalise and the margin remained at the quarter-time difference of 12 points.
Eaglehawk then kicked 10 goals to two in the second half to run away with the match.
Young said Brad Bernacki and Pat McKenna [both three goals] were playing well up forward, but they weren’t able to capitalise enough on that.
Bernacki and McKenna were two of just three Gisborne players to hit the scoreboard, which was never going to be enough.
Ethan Minns was the Bulldogs’ best, along with Bernacki, McKenna and defender James Ferry.
“We still played some good footy, but we didn’t have enough contributors,” Young said.
It’s not all bad news for the Bulldogs, who now face Golden Square in a knockout semi-final.
Young said they would look to bounce back this week.
“We are in this position for a reason,” he said.
“We’ll lick our wounds and focus on this week.
“We have to get back to our footy and there’s still a fair bit of footy to play out.
“Hopefully we’ll get back to our best.”
It was a tough day for the Bulldogs football sides, with all three losing qualifying finals.
However, like the seniors, the reserves and under-18s have a second chance.
In the A-grade netball, Gisborne lost to Kangaroo Flat, 50-35.
Scores were level at half-time, before Eaglehawk shot away in the second half.
