GISBORNE could well be calling it a day as far as competing in football and netball in the BFNL is concerned.So this is close to my last chance to honour the mighty Graveyard Dogs by having a stab at what I consider to be their Team of the Decade.
I know the Bulldog selectors named their team last Saturday night, but I composed this 22 at Sunday lunchtime well before I heard any announcement or viewed any website information.
I was lucky enough to see a number of Gisborne games from the very start of the club’s involvement in the BFL, either at the Gardiner Reserve or at other BFL grounds.
Indeed on one memorable day at Maryborough’s Princes Park I witnessed big “Bundy” Reaper bang home an individual haul of goals in the double figure zone.
But that was much later. It wasn’t all like that at the start of the Dogs’ tenure in the Bendigo league.
They had a reasonable start in the Sydney Olympics year of 2000, their debut season, under the leadership of Glenn Nugent (coach) and Jason McDonald (captain).
The Dogs had a win-loss ratio of 10 and 8, finished fifth then went down to South in the 2000 elimination final. The next season wasn’t great with the seniors notching up just three wins.
My Gisborne Team of the Decade, 2000-2009:-
B: David Power, Matt McKenzie, Simon Elsum.
Hb: Rod Sharp, Marcus Barham (capt), Cameron Medica.
C: Ty Elliott, Ollie Messaoudi, Chris Curcio.
Hf: Michael Dillon, Jordan Barham, Luke Saunders.
F: Darren Farrugia, Steven Reaper, Daniel Sipthorpe.
R: Jason Duff-Tytler, Shane Davis, Matt Fitzgerald.
Inter: Anthony Belcher, Stewart Hamilton, Casey Summerfield, Eddie Barake.
Coach: Mick McGuane.
NOW onto this weekend’s elimination and qualifying finals.
Eaglehawk takes on Kangaroo Flat on Saturday and it has been well documented that the Two Blues are a real Jekyll and Hyde outfit.
In round 17 with Herdman, Shannon Milward and Arnold each landing five goals they absolutely smashed Castlemaine.
Last Saturday they managed just six goals for an entire afternoon’s work and after quarter-time never looked like challenging Sandhurst. The Dragons were too quick, too committed and too smart with their ball use --- either with the wind or into the breeze.
Importantly, the match was played at headquarters: the QEO.
This weekend the Hawks are back at the Q to face Kangaroo Flat who just sneaked over the line in the Peter Holliday Saturday evening tribute match at Fulton Hogan Oval.
The Roos haven’t beaten Eaglehawk this season, however. On both occasions the clubs have met the Two Blues have emerged with significant victories.
Round 8 at Fulton Hogan Oval, on June 6th: Eaglehawk 10.18 (78) def Kang. Flat 9.11 (65). Round 14 at Canterbury Park, on July 18 th: Eaglehawk 13.14 (92) def. Kang. Flat 8.7 (55).
I have a feeling that stung by their insipid loss to Sandhurst last weekend, the Two Blues will bounce back this weekend when the chips are down.
There’s no doubt that Eaglehawk really suffered from the exodus of key players last summer. The loss of key midfielders such as Lock, Metherell, Luke Hartley and Rogerson hurt their structure.
Add prolific goalkicker Matt Gretgrix and defender Tim Hill to that mix and replacements were always going to be hard to find.
But the player they miss above all is Michelsen medalist Kain Robins. A booming kick, he could play at centre half-forward or centre half-back and even take a turn in the ruck.
The Roos have also been a hard act for tipsters to follow. Favoured one week the Green and Whites inevitably lost. Not fancied the next, up would bob the Flat with a stirring victory.
It’s going to be hard for the Hawk defence to shut down Tyrone Downie and Ron Best medallist Justin Maddern.
Like I said the Two Blues’ back half no longer boasts Hill and Robins. Jayden Dole will get Maddern to start with while Josh Gitsham is a chance to run with Downie.
One other thing to consider. We should not forget the Roos have a perfect record at the QEO this year.
In one of the two season openers way back in early April Kangaroo Flat downed Sandhurst 17.12 (114) to 11.3 (69). The Roos then upset top team South Bendigo 17.9 (111) to 10.12 (72) in round 9.
IN SUNDAY’S double chance qualifying final, I’m going for Golden Square to record a reasonably comfortable win over Gisborne.
Beset by all the talk about whether the club will mosey off to the Ballarat league --- or stay in the BFL --- the Graveyard Dogs’ players have had to cope with a lot of off-field diversions.
Despite all this, Gisborne is a proud club. With Luke Saunders and Anthony Belcher back in the side and Callan Potter and Ollie Messaoudi kicking goals, the Bulldogs would be extremely hard for most clubs to beat.
But matched up against the BFL’s other Bulldogs they face a rampaging Golden Square. Mark Adamson’s Dogs have lost just the two games this year, have unearthed three lively forwards in the Bateman cousins – Michael and Danny --- plus Callum Sharp and boast a fine midfield headed by Mark Lloyd, Jason Griffin, big ruckman David McMeekin and tough nut Nathan Bell.
McMeekin’s batlle with Gisborne big man Jason Duff-Tytler will be a qualifying final highlight.
Richard’s tips for first week of 2009 finals: Eaglehawk by 17 points, Golden Square by 41 points. Season total to date: 74
By Richard Jones
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