Bulldogs reboundas test againstladder leader looms

GISBORNE coach Tarryn Rymer says she is happy with how her side’s season is tracking as it hits the halfway point of the home and away season at 6-2.

Coming off only their second loss of the season against Sandhurst, the Bulldogs rebounded strongly to defeat Golden Square 58-36 in the rain at Wade Street last Saturday.

A solid but hard-fought victory has the Bulldogs in third spot on the ladder, two wins behind Kangaroo Flat and one behind Sandhurst.

The top-of-the-ladder Roos extended their unbeaten streak with a 71-40 win over Strathfieldsaye, highlighted by the A-grade debut of their 17-and-under captain Maggie Lamb, while Sandhurst continued its strong run of form in a 70-37 victory against Castlemaine.

Convincing wins for Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat have set up an intriguing top three clash between the great rivals at Dower Park this Saturday.

Pleased for the most part with their win over Golden Square, Rymer said there were areas of their game the Bulldogs would need to sharpen up in preparation for the Roos.

“Our second half we dropped off our intensity a little bit, so we’ll be looking to tidy that up,” she said.

“Having said that, our first half was exceptional and really set us up.

“But give a team a sniff and they will put that scoreboard pressure back on.

“It would have been nice to push the margin out a bit more, but it was still a good win in the conditions.

“Golden Square is developing a very solid, young team and gave us a great hit-out.”

Gisborne was brilliantly led in defence by co-captains Kirby Elliott and Charlee Kemp, while Torie Skrijel was influential in attack.

In the midcourt, Emerson Lakey and Amity Drayton were relentless with their pressure and drove the ball forward with purpose.

 

The Bulldogs were missing defender Tilly Shepherd.

Heading into the second round of matches, Rymer said a win over either of the two sides above them on the ladder would be a priority.

“We’re building. I feel the girls are getting stronger with some of the new combinations each week,” she said.

“It will be good to get a crack at Flat again. They are the benchmark.

“It’s going to tell us where we are at. Across the court, they are a very tight and connected group and they have Ruby (Barkmeyer) who provides the balance in attack.

“We’ll have to be at our best.”

Gisborne has come the closest to beating the reigning premiers this season, with the margin just three goals in the opening round of the season at Gardiner Reserve.

The Bulldogs led by five goals at quarter-time and by one at half-time before the Roos set up the win with an outstanding third term.

Golden Square assistant coach Ollie Ryan praised his players’ spirit and fight against Gisborne, pleased to see them get some reward for effort by winning the final quarter.

“It was impressive to see the way they adapted in the weather; that’s something we’ve wanted to work on,” he said.

“Also the way they adjusted to the pace of the game and timing onto the ball was pleasing.

“We got a few good runs going against a championship defence circle.

“To see (goal shooter) Lacey Broad, who is still only 17 years old, holding her own against such a great defence was pretty impressive.”

Elsewhere last Saturday, Eaglehawk moved within one win of fifth-placed Strathfieldsaye after a 59-11 win over Broadford.

The Hawks face a tough assignment against Sandhurst this weekend, while Strathfieldsaye can take a big step towards a return to finals if it can get past South Bendigo at Harry Trott Oval.

The fourth-placed Bloods are coming off a bye.