At half-time in Gisborne’s clash with Kangaroo Flat, Bulldogs coach Brad Spear had a decision to make.
Did he have a go at his young side, which was 34 points down and looking down the barrel of a third straight loss in the Bendigo Football League?
Or did he put faith in the players and tell them they could get the job done.
Spear chose the second option and the Bulldogs did him proud.
“I made a few positional changes that happened to work,” he said. “I said if we could get the first goal it would be terrific, getting a second goal would get us the momentum.”
The Bulldogs turned the 34-point half-time deficit into a 9.10 (64)-12.8 (80) win.
For Spear, the win showed how far the young side had come in 12 months.
Spear said he doubted the side would have been able to come back in the second half if the game had been a year ago.
“I spoke to them after the game and made them aware what they can do,” he said.
“At half-time, my faith was tested, but they played some really good football. It was some of the best football I’ve seen them play the last couple of years.
“What they have to do to get the momentum. I’m really pleased and happy for them.”
Ryan Baker was named best on ground after moving from defence to the forward line in the second half. Spear said Baker steadied the ship and gave them another option up forward.
Spear said the focus was ensuring that the side continued to grow and build each week. The Bulldogs will face Strathfieldsaye this week.
“In the first two games, we weren’t blown away,” he said. “Going into this week, we went into the game thinking that we were a chance to get the win. With a young playing group, 12 months is a long time. I’ve already seen the development this year and hopefully it keeps going.
Kyneton turned it on under lights against Castlemaine on Saturday night. The Tigers smashed the Magpies 31.16 (202)- 6.11 (47).
Ben Weightman outscored the Magpies by kicking 10 goals in a best-on-ground performance. Mitchell Scholard kicked seven goals.
