Gisborne fights for premiership glory

THE adage of it’s the fight in the dog, not the size of the dog, was proven by the Gisborne Bulldogs as they won the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League’s senior footy premiership for the ’22 season.

Gisborne was back fighting for premiership glory on the Queen Elizabeth Oval for the first time since being runner-up in 2012.

The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne was up against Strathfieldsaye, a club in its seventh grand final in eight seasons.

On one of the coldest and wettest days in Bendigo FNL history it was the Bulldogs who controlled plenty of the play on their way to a 5.20 (50) to 2.10 (22) victory.

Although it did not have the finals experience to match a Storm team co-coached by Darryl Wilson and Shannon Geary, Gisborne’s desire at so many contests was outstanding.

First goal of the match was not kicked until the 24th minute when Boden Alexander was on the end of a pass from Caleb Ernst who was rewarded for a chase and strong tackle near the 50-metere arc.

Storm went onto lead 9-2 at quarter-time.

In the second it was Gisborne which did plenty of attacking.

The Bulldogs brought up their first major when Luke Ellings slid for the ball reminiscent of an eel to win possession near the goal square, regain his footing and kick truly to put the Dogs up 10-9.

After a several rushed behinds, Gisborne went further ahead when Matt Merrett capped a series of passes from defence and through midfield to goal.

At the long break it was the Dogs with a 21-9 lead.

A Gisborne defence led by Jack Reaper, Jaidyn Owen and Zac Vescovi continued to repel Storm’s attacks or spoil shots on goal.

Storm added seven points in the third as Gisborne posted three behinds.

Despite the heavy conditions and playing for the third Saturday in a row it was Gisborne that finished with plenty of dare and run to score goals through Ethan Minns and Brad Bernacki to lead by 22 points.

Storm captain Lachlan Sharp soccered a goal in the 12th minute, but it was to be Strathfieldsaye’s last score of the contest.

In his final match, Jack Scanlon leapt for a great mark on the grandstand wing, much to the delight of Gisborne faithful.

Ellings kicked his second goal minutes before the siren sounded to mark Gisborne’s first premiership since 2006 and the club’s fifth in the Bendigo FNL.