Seemingly set to play in the Bendigo League’s 2026 qualifying final, Gisborne senior footballers were unceremoniously pushed into an elimination final due to reigning premier Eaglehawk kicking an astonishing all-time record league score on Saturday.
The impending bad news for Gisborne players, officials and supporters at Gardiner Reserve became more apparent as progress scores began to filter through from the Broadford versus Eaglehawk match.
At Harley Hammond Reserve the rampant Hawks made every post a winner and slammed home a record 55.29 (359) to 0.0 (0) to end a disappointing winless first season by Broadford in the BFNL.
Gisborne began Saturday in fourth place on the ladder with a percentage of 184.06, and to many it seemed a win over Golden Square would enable the ‘Dogs to move to third. Eaglehawk began the day with a 159.57% in fifth spot.
At the end of play Gisborne had won 13.8 (86) to 9.11 (65), with the visitors reviving to kick six goals in the final term.
The previous record score and winning margins in the Bendigo League were set when Sandhurst demolished Maryborough 54.23 (347) to 2.2 (14) in May, 2024.
Eaglehawk’s percentage zoomed to 195.85, with Gisborne’s ending on 180.92.
ELIMINATION FINAL
Now senior Bulldogs’ coach Rob Waters has the task this week of ensuring his players are ready to take on South Bendigo in Saturday’s elimination final at the Tannery Lane ground at Strathfieldsaye.
Gisborne defeated South Bendigo comfortably at their latest outing, and know they have a big task to reach the grand final in their last season in the competition.
In Saturday’s round 18 match, the home side managed to control the opposition forwards for much of the game.
The lead was 6.2 to 1.6 at half-time, and it was a surprise to see Golden Square lift to restore respectability in the final term.
Prolific ball winner Brad Bernacki was again Gisborne’s top player, with Frank Schipano, Lucas Hannon, Dylan Johnstone, Flynn Lakey and Pat McKenna also on the ‘best’ list.
Gisborne Reserves earlier won 8.11 (59) to 6.8 (44), and the Under 18s finished their season with a convincing 14.8 (92) to 7.5 (47) victory.
Saturday was also an appropriate time for a Past Players and Officials Day in the GFNC social rooms.
This covered Gisborne’s 2006 senior football premiership, the U17s netball premiership the same year, the 1985 and 1996 U18s football premierships, and the 2016 U17s netball premiership.