Bendigo Football League results: Kyneton defeats Gisborne in one-point thriller to boost hopes of top-three finish on ladder

KYNETON is staring at a Bendigo Football League top-three berth after a thrilling one-point derby win against Gisborne on Saturday.

KYNETON is staring at a Bendigo Football League top-three berth after a thrilling one-point derby win against Gisborne on Saturday.

The Tigers survived a pulsating encounter at Kyneton Showgrounds, with the final siren blasting as the ball entered the Bulldogs’ attacking 50m, resulting in a 15.12 (102) to 15.11 (101) victory.

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Little separated the teams throughout the match, but a five-goal to two third term earned Kyneton a vital 12-point buffer going into the last break.

Harrison Huntley try to take screamer over Jake Conolan on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Pushing out to a 20-point lead, Gisborne charged home in the final 10 minutes but was unable to score enough to pinch the result.

“It was certainly an entertaining game and it was well-publicised that there was a fair bit on the line for both teams,” Tigers coach Luke Beattie said.

Ethan Foreman has 37 goals for the year after kicking four in Kyneton’s narrow win. Picture: David Smith

“It was a really good contest.

“If they (Gisborne) had been given a little bit more time, they may well have won it.

“It was a really strong contest and both teams should be proud.”

The four points pushed the home side back into third spot, with the Tigers to face all their double-chance competitors in the last five rounds of the home-and-away season.

“That was the aim — get a win and push back into the top three and hopefully give ourselves the best opportunity to get the second chance,” Beattie said.

“It was literally one of those eight-point games. Had we lost, (top three) would have been a really challenging outcome to get.”

The coach nominated ruckman Jordan Mangan, Rhys Magin (three goals) and defender Harrison Huntley as his best players, while Ethan Foreman snagged four majors to take his season tally to 37.

Jack Exell also made his senior return after breaking his collarbone against Gisborne 11 weeks ago.

Gisborne’s playing coach Clinton Young gets a diving handpass away. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Kyneton next takes on second-placed Eaglehawk in another big game.

Ethan Minns, Eamon McKenna and Nick Doolan were the Bulldogs’ best.

Gisborne will host fifth-placed Sandhurst on Saturday in a must-win fixture.