Both Bulldogs face tests in semi-finals

THE Bulldogs from Gisborne and Golden Square face big tests in this weekend’s Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League semi-finals.

After watching on in the first week of the finals, Gisborne takes to the Queen Elizabeth Oval turf for this Saturday’s second semi-final against Strathfieldsaye.

The Rob Waters-coached Bulldogs won both clashes with Storm in the home-and-away series.

On day one of the finals it was the Darryl Wilson and Shannon Geary-coached Strathfieldsaye which marked a stunning 38-point qualifying win against Golden Square.

A week earlier and Square had dominated the 18th round clash on Storm’s turf but this time a first-quarter blitz of 36-3 put Storm well in control.

The Bulldogs worked hard to be within three goals at half-time, but had no answer to the Strathfieldsaye onslaught led by Baxter Slater’s seven goals and superb play of Jake Moorhead, Daniel Clohesy, Kallen Geary, Lachlan Ratcliffe, Harry Conway and captain Lachlan Sharp.

At full-back, Mitch Hallinan played with the poise of a 200-gamer, not someone in their 17th senior outing, as he took on Golden Square’s gun forward Joel Brett.

Hallinan and his defensive team-mates face another huge challenge against a Gisborne attack that includes Pat McKenna, Matt Merrett, Ethan Foreman and possibly Josh Kemp.

On Sunday, Golden Square will fight South Bendigo to stay in the premiership race in the first semi-final.

Inaccuracy was a major letdown in the Bulldogs’ play against Strathfieldsaye, but they will also need to lift their intensity and pressure at the contest.

The hard-running Hamish Morcom and captain Jack Geary won plenty of the ball, as did on-baller Ryan Hartley, but the Christian Carter-coached Golden Square will need greater contributors from many.

Golden Square scored convincing wins against South Bendigo in the home-and-away series, but the qualifying final proved anything can happen.

Confidence in the South Bendigo line-up will have soared after a 114-65 victory in last Sunday’s elimination final against Sandhurst.

The Bloods led by nine points at half-time and then dominated most of the final hour as they scored 7.10 to 1.6 for a 49-point victory against its fierce rival.

Brock Harvey kicked seven goals and looms as a huge threat to the Dogs, along with Daniel Johnstone who played a superb game in the ruck against the Dragons.

Other players to watch for the Bloods include coach Nathan Horbury, Kaiden Antonowicz, Liam Byrne, Cooper Leon, Isaiah Miller and Braydan Torpey.