Gisborne falls to Eaglehawk in preliminary final after emotional week
A week after the loss of a young teammate, Gisborne came within four points of a gallant preliminary final win over Eaglehawk but the emotional week put the defeat and football into perspective.
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Football was put into perspective at Gisborne with an emotional lead up to Saturday’s four-point preliminary final loss to Eaglehawk.
The Bulldogs are mourning the passing of reserves player Nathan Williams, who died in a car accident just hours after the club’s Bendigo league semi-final victory last week.
Williams’ father Steve is a runner for the senior team and addressed the playing group on Thursday night.
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Bulldogs coach Clinton Young — who welcomed a son on Monday — spoke of his pride in the club after a difficult roller-coaster of emotions.
“It was tough Tuesday night, then Thursday night Steve spoke in front of the whole club and was inspirational with the way he went about it,” Young said.
“Going into the game it definitely put things in perspective … anyone watching from Gisborne would have been proud of the effort.
“We didn’t get the result but I was very proud of the boys and the club given what we went through this week.”
There was a minute’s silence before the game at Queen Elizabeth Oval and Gisborne, inspired by its lost mate, made a strong start to take a 12-point lead to quarter-time.
However, the Borough took control in the middle stages of the game and looked home when they led by more than four goals early in the final quarter.
After an emotional week, the Bulldogs would have been excused for dropping their heads, but incredibly found another gear and stormed back to take the lead with just minutes remaining.
Eaglehawk snatched a goal back before Tim Walsh had a flying shot for victory with seconds remaining, but his kick faded for a behind.
The gallant 12.7 (79) to 11.9 (75) defeat was a brave effort considering the Dogs lost star onballers Ethan Minns (knee) and Matt Goodyear (broken nose) in the semi-final win over Golden Square.
Interleague forward Jack Scanlon (shoulder), centre half-forward Jaidyn Owen and full-back Jack Reaper (both knee) were already missing from Gisborne’s best 22.
After coming from fifth last year to secure a preliminary final berth, Young was pleased with the progress the club had made.
“It’s a season where we’ve taken another step in closing the gap to Eaglehawk and Strath (Strathfieldsaye),” he said.
“I’ve seen enormous growth every single year, so I feel we’re on the right track as a club.”
Reigning premier Eaglehawk will face Strathfieldsaye in the grand final for the third straight year.
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