Dogs aim to win their first title in 16 years

Gisborne admits it has a surprise or two for Strathfieldsaye ahead of their grand final battle. We reveal the key players heading into the contest.

Gisborne coach Rob Waters says a few honesty sessions among the players during the finals series has them primed to end their Bendigo Football Netball League drought.

The Bulldogs will take on Strathfieldsaye in the senior grand final on Saturday looking for its first premiership since 2006.

Since dominating the competition at the start of the millennium, winning titles in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006, the club has had a barren run.

Gisborne has only made three grand finals since — including this year — with it being 10 years since the club last made the decider.

The drought almost continued last week with the side avoiding a straight sets exit against Golden Square.

The team won by two points after Golden Square had multiple chances to win late with shots on goal.

It followed a loss to Strathfieldsaye in the second week of the finals after claiming the minor premiership.

“It was a very determined Golden Square outfit,” Waters revealed.

“I think the last seven of eight minutes there were eight or nine stoppages, we worked really hard to score and it was no good for the heart.

“Golden Square also missed some set shots.

“We really stood up there to win.”

Their form in the finals has been different to the regular season, which saw Gisborne losing twice.

Waters said the other teams have lifted in the finals and it was up to them to do the same.

“First of all the top three teams (us, Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square) had a buffer to the rest of the competition; we were lucky to win some games,” he said.

“(Against the Storm) there were blokes who weren’t up to their usual output.

“We get another crack.

“The blokes were pretty honest post game about where they are at and the things they did well.

“They are pretty resilient, they know what they have got to do.”

Waters said the team would make a change or two in its line-up against the Storm to provide a surprise or two in the decider.

“Hopefully we can throw things Strath aren’t expecting,” he said.

“Just a few blokes, with different personnel, back have to play in different areas.”

Waters said win, lose or draw, the club was proud of its season so far.

Gisborne was named best club in Bendigo at the best and fairest awards on Monday night.

The club also had teams in three football grand finals and three netball finals.

Finally, almost half the team in the grand final have played under-18s for Gisborne over the past couple of years — a testament to the coaches and the club who rebuilt the team a few years ago, Waters said.

Gisborne faces a Strathfieldsaye team looking for its fifth premiership in eight years.

The club has been the benchmark in previous years, making grand finals in seven of the past eight seasons.

Strathfieldsaye's Lachlan Sharp is looking for his fifth premiership in Bendigo seniors. Picture: Aaron Cook.

But there were times the club thought this year might be different.

“It’s an incredible feeling to get there,” Storm captain Lachlan Sharp said.

“It’s been a difficult year for the playing group.

“Throughout the year based on injuries and guys not playing due to Covid (we struggled).

“We knew we haven’t had a full list and had to make seven to eight changes every week.

“But at the right time of the year it’s all fallen into place.”

Sharp said the week off had galvanised the team and the community.

“Having the week off has freshened everyone and it’s really built it (grand final) up at the club,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be an intense battle, been like that for a while so we want to get on top of that.

“We want pressure on the field.”

Sharp has played in every grand final win for the club in seniors and recently brought up 800 goals for the club.

He said if the team wins it won’t be the end of him.

“I’d like to think I have a few years left in me,” he said.

“Playing in the forward line you can have a few years left.

“If I’m still performing for the team and doing the team things yeah I want to win as many flags as I can.”

He hopes the team can get it done for the next generation of Storm players.

“Team success is the ultimate thing for our community,” he said.

“Winning a premiership will do more for the community and juniors than it will for us.”

The game starts at 2.20pm at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Here are the key players for the contest.

Lachlan Sharp (Strathfieldsaye)

The leading goalkicker for the Storm who has kicked 57 goals in 15 games.

He also kicked three goals in the first final between the two teams a couple of weeks ago.

Sure to play a vital role in the Storm winning the title.

Brad Bernacki (Gisborne)

Gisborne coach Rob Waters has rated Bernacki’s finals series highly as the VFL player for Essendon guided the Dogs to the grand final.

A midfield machine, he polled 14 votes in eight games and could have been the best and fairest if he played more for Gisborne.

Expected to be one of the players to win plenty of ball in the middle for the Dogs.

Jake Moorhead (Strathfieldsaye) 

The best and fairest in the competition, gaining 19 votes this season.

Strathfieldsaye's Jake Moorhead will be one of the key players for the Storm. Picture: Aaron Cook.

Moorhead has been described by Gisborne coach Rob Waters as a star of the competition.

The midfield ace will be key to the success of the Storm.

Pat McKenna (Gisborne)

Just like Sharp at one end the Gisborne captain will be vital at the other end, in attack, for the Dogs.

McKenna has kicked 64 goals in 14 games and kicked two goals in the qualifying match against the Storm earlier in the finals.

Can influence the game from his boot.

Callum McCarty (Strathfieldsaye)

Another midfield gun who has lifted in the finals to get the Storm to the decider.

Was second for the club in the best and fairest in Bendigo, gaining 14 votes for the year.

Flynn Lakey (Gisborne)

One of the youngsters who has helped Gisborne build over the past few years.

The former NAB League medallist has had a stellar season in the middle.

Gisborne's Flynn Lakey dishes off a handball under pressure from Golden Square opponent Hamish Morcom. Picture: SAA Imaging (supplied)

Got 14 votes in the best and fairest to be among the best in the competition this season.