Gisborne to renew rivalry with Golden Square after falling to Sandhurst in opening week of Bendigo Football League finals

AN INJURY to captain Casey Summerfield sparked a chain of events which ultimately led to Gisborne’s downfall in the opening week of Bendigo Football League finals.

Bendigo FL: Gisborne v Golden Square

AN INJURY to captain Casey Summerfield sparked a chain of events which ultimately led to Gisborne’s downfall in the opening week of Bendigo Football League finals.

Summerfield succumbed to a severe cork in the opening minutes of the final quarter at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday with Gisborne trailing Sandhurst by less than a goal.

The Dogs fell apart without the skipper, conceding eight goals to two to fall 15.18 (108) to 10.6 (66).

“We were fantastic for three quarters, we ran and carried the footy really well, stuck to our structures and executed what we needed to,” Gisborne coach Rod Sharp said.

“It was a really good effort from the boys for three quarters, we just got an injury in the last quarter to our captain and the wheels just fell off for about a 15-minute period.

“They’re obviously a good side and took full advantage of it.

“They kicked probably four or five unanswered goals really quickly and that was the game.”

Summerfield had been tagging Ryan Maldenis, who cut loose after he was forced from the ground.

Gisborne had been brave in the opening three quarters against their heavily-fancied opponent, leading by nine points at half-time thanks to the influence of Pat McKenna, Josh Govan and Shannon Greetham.

Sandhurst fought back in the third stanza and hit the front at three-quarter-time before asserting its dominance in a rampant final quarter.

Gisborne will renew its rivalry with Golden Square in a semi-final this weekend after the 42-point loss.

Golden Square proved too strong for Eaglehawk on Saturday, running out 25-point victors on the back of five goals from Corey Jones.

Sharp said curtailing Jones’ influence would be crucial if Gisborne was to avoid a straight-sets exit from finals.

“With our history, no doubt it will be another two-goal game either way,” he said.

“Corey Jones will probably will the league medal, I dare say, he’s just been outstanding.

“(He’s) by far the best player in the competition, he’s just been in outstanding form.”

Sandhurst will meet minor premier Strathfieldsaye in this weekend’s other semi-final.