Gisborne inflicts first loss on Bendigo league-leader Sandhurst
Told it couldn’t win at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Gisborne smashed previously undefeated Sandhurst to bury any doubt it's a BFL flag threat.
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Gisborne hammered Bendigo league-leader Sandhurst on Saturday putting any doubts it could handle the expanses of Queen Elizabeth Oval to bed.
After being “embarrassed” in their last visit north, the Bulldogs produced arguably their best performance of the season to claim a dominant 68-point win.
The 17.10 (112) to 6.10 (46) result was also the Dragons’ first loss of the season after an 8-0 start.
The win keeps Gisborne in second, now just a game behind Sandhurst, and ahead of Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square on percentage.
Bulldogs coach Rob Waters said the team had used the Round 4 loss to South Bendigo at QEO as motivation.
“It was a big win, we were sort of embarrassed last time we played up there … everyone said you can’t play on that ground, the ground where finals are won, but the simple fact was we weren’t good enough,” Waters said.
“It was a different week, a different team and we were up and about for it. They had a few players out, Sandhurst, but they’d won eight straight.
“It was a really tough game early, a lot of pressure on both teams, we couldn’t believe the amount of turnovers from both teams.
“We held them to four goals at half-time and the boys got a bit of belief and then obviously we blew them away in the last quarter.
“I don’t think we get a chance to play there the rest of the year, so we were like let’s get a good look at and try and few things.”
Brad Bernacki was best-on-ground in midfield, while Sam Graham, Mack Lord and Ben Eales also impressed.
Pat McKenna booted six goals in a dominant display in attack but Waters heaped praise on forward partner Jack Scanlon (three goals).
“Jack Scanlon played his role beautifully, which allowed Pat to get one-on-one with his opponent, and no one sees that but it was instrumental,” Waters said.
“Next week it could be his turn because they work really well together.
“Our defensive group is playing really well as well, it was their goal to hold them down, Sandhurst are a high-scoring team, Jarrad Lynch and Jack Reaper were fantastic.”
It doesn’t get any easier for Gisborne with a trip to reigning premier Strathfieldsaye in the second leg of blockbuster triple-header.
Golden Square visit Gardiner Park the following week.
The Bulldogs secured a thrilling one-point win over the Storm in Round 1 and will be looking to break a long drought at Tannery Lane.
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Waters is confident his players are up to the task.
“I don’t think they’ve been beaten there in forever and they’ve coming off a 100-point win, so it’s a huge challenge,” he said.
“We played them in Round 1 and were lucky to get the points and they’ll want to avenge that.”
Strathfieldsaye were far too good for Kyneton under lights on Saturday, claiming a 96-point victory.
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