Kyneton is through to the Bendigo Football League finals for a second successive year – despite a final-round loss to Sandhurst on Saturday.
Both sides had a lot to play for going into the final round, the Tigers wanting to stay in the top five, the Dragons seeking to claim the minor premiership.
After an even first quarter, the Dragons had kicked six goals to one to open up a 35-point lead.
The Tigers hit the front in the third quarter to lead by 11 points going into the last break.
But they couldn’t maintain that endeavour in the fourth quarter, with the Dragons winning 17.14 (116)-12.11 (83).
Mitchell Scholard kicked three in the loss for the Tigers, while Jonno Nash kicked two and was his side’s best player.
Despite the loss, the Tigers finished the season fifth, equal on points with fourth-placed Eaglehawk and sixth-placed Kangaroo Flat, and will face Eaglehawk in an elimination final.
Meanwhile, Gisborne’s season finished with a massive loss to finals-bound Strathfieldsaye.
The Storm was too strong winning 20.13 (133)-6.9 (45).
Jake Conolan was the only multiple goal-scorer for the Bulldogs with two.
The Bulldogs finished the season ninth with three wins.
In the A-grade netball, Gisborne enters the Bendigo Netball League finals on the back of a loss to Strathfieldsaye.
With a big percentage, the Bulldogs finals hopes were never in doubt – it was simply a matter of whether they would finish fourth or fifth.
Against the sixth-placed Storm, the Bulldogs struggled in a 42-33 loss.
The Storm will miss out on finals on percentage.
The Bulldogs will play Maryborough in an elimination final on Sunday at Queen Elizabeth Oval. Maddie Stewart is expected to return to the side after completing Victorian Netball League commitments with Melbourne University Lightning.
The Magpies jumped ahead of the Bulldogs, into fourth spot, with a win over South Bendigo. Kyneton finished its season with a 55-33 loss against Sandhurst. Kyneton finished seventh.
