Leader News |
The local Bulldogs, this year's minor premier, crumbled against the finals-hardened might of Golden Square at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday night, losing 17.15 (117) to 12.9 (81).
It means Square is through to a fifth straight grand final, while Gisborne must account for Strathfieldsaye to have another crack at its Bulldogs' counterpart.
Gisborne, which tackled a Square rocked by the late withdrawals of guns Simon Rosa and Luke Hammond, trailed all night before the all-conquering Bulldogs flexed their muscle late.
The margin was five points at the first change, and five at the second, before Golden Square widened the buffer to three goals going into the last.
There were some positives for Gisborne - Darren Farrugia kicked five - and coach Luke Saunders remained upbeat, drawing on the club's double chance. "That's a good way to look at it I guess. It's nice and positive," he said. "Obviously we weren't great, but Golden Square was fantastic. We just need to get back on the horse now."
Gisborne's usual stars were at the fore, Farrugia, Tim Walsh and Tommy Waters the local Bulldogs' best, but Grant Weeks, who kicked eight for Square, is the elephant in each surviving club's room.
Gisborne, however, needs to get past Strathfieldsaye first, and Saunders has backed his charges to rebound. "We just have to get back to what we've done well all year," he said.
