Saturday, May 10, has gone into the record books as the most momentous on-field/court day yet for the Gisborne Giants Football Netball Club.
The Giants, in their first season in Riddell League senior ranks, won their first-ever match by overcoming Lancefield by 15 points in a high-scoring contest at Tigerland.
It was a great day for the orange army, as the Giants won all three football matches at Lancefield Park, and three of the five netball encounters, boosting the Riddell League’s decision to welcome the Giants ‘across the board’ this season.
Back in 2016, the Giants played their first-ever football match (Under 12s) at Lancefield, and the club – now based at the new regional sporting complex at New Gisborne – is going from strength to strength.
Congratulations have been flowing in to the Giants since news of the senior victory at Lancefield, where both sides were chasing their first win of the season, and there was plenty of positive football on show.
From club president Matt Bourke and head football coach Andrew Hall down, it was a great day.
The senior side began strongly, with five goals in the first term, and never relinquished the lead.
Final score: Gisborne Giants 16.7 (103) d Lancefield 13.10 (88).
Best players were listed as Matt Quigley, Cameron Freake, Brad Mangan, Seth Warren, James O’Connor and Oscar Schnoor.
Lancefield’s best were Leroy Ristevski, Harry Behan, Tom Jackson, Reuben Schembri, William Wright and Riley O’Meara.
In the Reserves, the Giants won 6.7 (43) to 5.11 (41) after the Tigers had led for almost all of the match.
The strong Giants won the Under 19.5 match 12.18 (90) to 1.4 (10).
Club president Matt Bourke described Saturday as “a memorable day in the club’s history”.
He said it culminated around 10 years of hard work to reach this stage.
“We hope to build on what has been achieved, and continue the momentum this season, and into the future,” he added.
FULL OF HIGHLIGHTS
Round five exceeded many expectations, with highlights at several venues.
How’s this for a wrap-up summary:
Gisborne Giants become record breakers winning firsts, reserves and Under 19.5s.
Romsey escaped from the spectre of defeat, overhauling Melton South by two points in the dying stages of the match. Jack Jedwab’s six goals was the difference between winning and losing for the Redbacks.
At Tony Clarke Reserve, Macedon welcomed superstar Jason Cooke back from injury. He produced five goals, but reigning Bowen Medallist Chris Stewart kicked six as Wallan prevailed by 13 points.
Kyneton made its first trip to play Melton Centrals and kicked an amazing 16 goals one behind in the first half, eventually winning by 67 points.
Riddell, at home, held control throughout against Woodend-Hesket to remain unbeaten before going to Diggers Rest for a tough test this Saturday.
