Dogfight to decide who makes the big one

ANOTHER dogfight will decide who is in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League senior footy grand final when Gisborne tackles Golden Square in this Saturday’s preliminary final.

The all-Bulldogs clash will be played at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 2.20pm.

The winner will go on to meet Strathfieldsaye Storm in the grand final and it’s season over for the defeated.

It’s one-all in this season’s showdowns between the Bulldogs.

Gisborne won the round eight match on its turf at Gardiner Reserve by 15 points.

The return bout in the 17th round was played on a sodden Fur Life Vet Oval in Wade Street where Golden Square was victorious by 10 points.

The preliminary finalists will be determined to mark a big lift in form.

Golden Square was stung by a 38-point loss to Strathfieldsaye in the qualifying final on day one of the BFNL finals series.

The Bulldogs stayed in the premiership race by scoring a 39-point win against South Bendigo in last Sunday’s first semi-final.

After a week’s rest courtesy of finishing the home-and-away series on top of the ladder, Gisborne went down to Strathfieldsaye by two goals in last Saturday’s second semi-final.

Just who has control of the on-ball and midfield duels and for how long will be a key factor in determining the preliminary final result.

Gisborne has a powerful attack led by Pat McKenna, Josh Kemp, Jack Scanlon, Matt Merrett and Ethan Foreman.

Golden Square has Joel Brett and Jayden Burke as key targets and well supported by Tom Strauch and Braydon Vaz.

In the ruck it will be the athletic Braidon Blake up against Golden Square veteran Matt Compston.

Gisborne’s on-ballers such as Brad Bernacki, Flynn Lakey and Scott Walsh will be primed for a great battle with Jack Geary, Ryan Hartley and Ricky Monti.

Before the main game the reserves’ preliminary final will see Golden Square take on Sandhurst for the right to meet Gisborne on 17 September for the flag.

In the under 18s it’s a repeat of the seniors, with Gisborne and Golden Square battling it out for the honour of meeting Sandhurst on grand final day.