Leader News |
THE Bendigo Football League's two heavyweights will lock horns in the grand final.
It is local powerhouse Gisborne and gun country outfit Golden Square, who led the pack all year, played an enthralling draw, but weren't so equal when finals began a fortnight ago.
Then, Gisborne floundered, matching the Bendigo-based Bulldogs early but dropping away and losing by 36 points.
A straight-sets exit beckoned for Gisborne, but the local Bulldogs returned to form on Saturday under lights at Queen Elizabeth Oval, downing Strathfieldsaye, 16.10 (106) to 13.9 (87).
The Bulldogs won every quarter but the last against the Storm, and boasted 10 goal kickers in a typically well-rounded display.
Rodney Sharp kicked three, while Timothy Stanton-Smith, Matthew Knox, Eamon McKenna and Casey Summerfield each nailed two. "It was just really good reward for the amount of effort they've put in, to get this far," Gisborne coach Luke Saunders said.
"But they understand it's going to be a huge week, taking on such a good team like Golden Square."
Gisborne treated the prospect of a straight-sets crumbling with contempt, returning to its illustrious form which had pundits crowing of a power shift away from Golden Square as the finals neared.
"That pressure doesn't really get to me, and I don't think it got to the players, either," Saunders said.
"For me it was about sticking to what we do well. It was just nice to see the guys refocus after having a poor week the week before."
While Gisborne advanced to Saturday's grand final sore but unscathed, Mick Thornton is likely to return for the local Bulldogs.
Gisborne's reserves crashed out of the flag race on Saturday, Strathfieldsaye reversing the two clubs' fortunes, 16.5 (101) to 9.7 (61).
Strathfieldsaye will meet Sandhurst in Saturday's grand final at 12.30pm before the senior sides lock horns at 2.20pm.
