Gisborne’s Bendigo Football League season finds a pulse after consecutive wins over Kangaroo Flat and Castlemaine

GISBORNE’S Bendigo Football League campaign had all but flatlined two weeks ago, but two wins in as many weeks have given the club a pulse.

Ryan Carafa of Kyneton tackles Josh Govan of Gisborne during the Bendigo Football League match between Gisborne and Kyneton played at Gardiner Reserve in Gisborne on Friday 3rd April, 2015. Picture: Mark Dadswell

GISBORNE’S Bendigo Football League campaign had all but flatlined two weeks ago.

Then last week, the Dogs showed their first signs of life in almost two months with victory against Kangaroo Flat.

On Saturday, Gisborne found a pulse with a fighting win over Castlemaine which moved it to within one game of fifth-placed Kyneton.

The turnaround his given the Dogs genuine hope of playing finals this year despite a recent run of six consecutive losses.

The win over Castlemaine was not achieved without a nervous moment or two, with the Magpies throwing everything at the home side in the final term at Gardiner Reserve.

Gisborne led by 19 points at three-quarter-time before withstanding a final-quarter surge from Castlemaine to record its third win of 2015, 12.13 (85) to 11.12 (78).

“Probably the last 15 minutes, we were still trying to attack because we thought we definitely needed to hit the scoreboard,” Dogs’ coach Rod Sharp said.

“Up until the last five or six minutes we still had a couple of opportunities to give us that two-to-three goal buffer.

“That last three or four minutes, we were hanging on.”

In-form forward Matt Knox booted six of Gisborne’s 12 goals, but Sharp was as impressed with the spearhead’s work around the ground as he was his goalkicking prowess.

“As well as kicking the six goals and giving us a target he provided five tackles,” Sharp said.

“For a big forward like Matt to get five tackles in a game, that was probably the most pleasing thing about his game.”

Shannon Greetham, Thomas Waters and Andre Headberry also played vital hands in the win.

Gisborne’s second-quarter dominance proved decisive, with the hosts booting eight goals to seize the initiative before clinging to victory.

The Dogs have a bye this weekend and will face a crucial fortnight upon their return in Round 11.

Gisborne will travel to bottom side Maryborough on June 27, before facing Kyneton in a match which could shape the finals fate of both sides.

The Tigers had a bye in the first week of the split round on Saturday and will face Sandhurst away from home this weekend.