Castlemaine played host to league powerhouse Gisborne in round 12 action at the Camp Reserve last Saturday.
A tough contest was assured with Gisborne sitting in top spot and looking to record their 11th win of the season having only dropped one game to Sandhurst in round 10.
Castlemaine made a positive start in the first quarter kicking one goal and holding the Bulldogs to 3.4 for the term.
However, in the second quarter the visitors found their running game and made the most of opportunities in front of goal slamming through another six goals to the Magpies one for the term.
At half-time Gisborne led by a commanding 52 points.
Castlemaine lifted in the third stanza trying to do everything they could to stifle the Bulldog’s avenues to goal and to their credit held them to four majors for the term, while adding another goal to their tally.
But at three-quarter-time Gisborne held a 73-point advantage.
In the final term the Bulldogs stamped their authority on the game smashing through another seven goals while holding the Magpies to a solitary point to run out winners by 117 points.
Harry Thomas was in everything kicking seven goals for the Bulldogs.
Final scores Castlemaine 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 (20) to Gisborne 3.4, 10.5, 14.8, 21.11 (137).
Goal kickers for Castlemaine were Bailey Henderson, Tommy Horne and Angus Mayes.
Best for Castlemaine were Bailey Henderson, Jack Chester, Tommy Horne, John Watson, Kaleb McBride, Riley Pedretti.
Goal kickers for Gisborne were Harry Thomas 7, Sam Graham, Jake Normington 3, Thomas Fraser, Daniel Davie 2, Matthew Panuccio, Sebastien Bell-Bartels, Macklan Lord and Luke Ellings.
Best for Gisborne were Sebastien Bell-Bartels, Flynn Lakey, Matthew Panuccio, Harry Thomas, Sam Graham, Macklan Lord.
In the Reserves unfortunately it was all one-way traffic with top side Gisborne jumping out to a 42 point lead in the opening term. The Bulldogs went on to dominate all over the ground and run out 190 point winners despite the best efforts of a valiant Castlemaine.
Castlemaine 0.0, 0.0, 0.1, 0.1 (1) to Gisborne 6.6, 12.12, 20.19, 28.23 (191).
Best for Castlemaine were Dylan Hickey, Luke Pritchard, Caleb Kuhle, Wilson Staples, Campbell McLennan and Laine Gibson.
Goal kickers for Gisborne were Ethan Foreman, Heath Simpson, Adam Brancatisano, Darcy Challis, Jacob Murphy 3, Kne Minns, Harry Manders, Ned Young 2, Boyd Nalder, Michael Steinbach, Elijah, Bretherton and Luke Weber.
Best were Jacob Murphy, Boyd Nalder, Adam Brancatisano, Ethan Foreman, Matthew Jinkins and Darcy Challis.
In the Under 18s Castlemaine made a positive start against top four contenders Gisborne kicking an early goal and keeping the Bulldogs to 3.2 for the opening term.
In the second quarter Gisborne found their groove and booted another seven unanswered goals to hold a 66-point buffer at halftime.
They continued to dominate in the second half kicking another eight goals despite the tireless efforts of the Magpie defence to run out victors by 124 points.
Harry Luxemoore was a stand out for the visitors kicking five for the day.
Castlemaine 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 (6) to Gisborne 3.2, 11.6, 13.12, 19.16 (130).Goal kicker for Castlemaine was Callam De Bono.
Best were Oliver Daldy, Alec Staples, Ben McConachy, Ashton Frankling, Matthew Schembri and Nick Lord.
Goal kickers for Gisborne were Harry Luxemoore 5, Samuel Wilson, Matthew Barake 3, Edward Williams, Jackson Kerr 2, Darcy Lockens, James Fox, Darcy Young and Jack Ryan.
Best were Connor Bills, Edward Williams, James Fox, Samuel Wilson, Harry Luxmoore and Matthew Barake.
ROUND 13
This weekend in round 13 clashes Castlemaine make the trek to Tannery Lane to take on second-placed Strathfieldsaye Storm and top-of-the-table Gisborne will host Maryborough.
