Gardiner Reserve is a virtual fortress for Gisborne footballers and netballers, and they had a clean sweep of eight victories against Kyneton on Saturday.
Coming off their first defeat of the season at the hands of Sandhurst, the Bulldogs’ senior footballers bounced back hard and put a comprehensive end to the Tigers’ six-in-a-row record.
A blistering first term saw the home side monopolise the ball to ram home seven goals to one; the victory was achieved with the Dogs being without some ‘name’ players including captain Pat McKenna, in-form ruckman Braidon Blake and prolific ball winner Brad Bernacki.
Gisborne players were seemingly out to prove their worth to coach Brad Waters and selectors, with their intensity and ability to gain and use the ball to the forefront in a first half that produced 14 goals.
The Tigers’ cause was not helped during the match by the loss of two players as a result of being yellow carded.
Playing short for a period made the side’s task an uphill battle.
The Tigers could not stem the flow of goals early in the match, and their matchwinner Rhys Magin was restricted to just one goal after kicking 21 in the previous three games.Kyneton’s second term effort was commendable, scoring seven goals, but the ‘Dogs equalled this tally and the half-time lead was substantial.
Scoring largely dried up in the second half, and Gisborne had the answers to any Kyneton forward thrusts.
The depth of the Bulldogs was again apparent, with Macklan Lord and Luke Ellings turning in top games. Up forward Josh Kemp finished with six goals.
For the Tigers, Frazer Driscoll again showed his class, and Guy Dickson won plenty of the ball.
In the earlier football matches, Gisborne dominated with a 23.12 to 3.1 performance in the Reserves, and a 19.11 to 3.0 victory in the Under 18s.
On the netball court, the A-grade clash was close, with Kyneton doing well to restrict third-placed Gisborne to a 43-37 margin. The other matches were largely one-sided, with Gisborne 17&U girls chalking up a rare feat of 100 goals.
Footballers and netballers in the Bendigo League have a general bye this weekend, giving players who are carrying injuries further time to recover for round 12.
Match details
Gisborne 7.4, 14.8, 15.10, 18.11 (119) d Kyneton 1.2, 8.6, 9.6, 9.6 (60).
Goals (G) – J. Kemp 6, L. Ellings 3, M. Panuccio, M. Merrett 2, J. Fox, T. Normingham, H. Thomas, F. Lakey, H. Thomas, N. Doolan, E. Minns.
Best (G) – M. Lord, Ellings, F. Lakey, L. Spea, L. Rogers, S. Graham.
Goals (K) – R. Pretty, A. Nolte 2, B. McGee, H. Sheahan, M. Conlan, D. Bartrop, R. McGin.
Best (K) – F. Driscoll, G. Dickson, H. Huntley, M. Crozier, Sheahan, J. Gaffe.
