IT was ecstasy and agony as Gisborne and Golden Square fought out a dramatic finish to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League\u2019s senior footy preliminary final on Saturday.<\/p>\n
With a place in the grand final at stake the all-Bulldogs clash added another chapter to a history of finals games at Queen Elizabeth Oval.<\/p>\n
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne led 14-10 at quarter-time, but Golden Square took control in the second.<\/p>\n
There was plenty of attacking dare and flair by the blue and gold, but wayward kicking at goal would prove costly.<\/p>\n
Despite dominating general play, Golden Square\u2019s tally of 3.5 to 2.2 in the second term meant its lead was just five points at the long break.<\/p>\n
In a match where there were plenty of stoppages and tackling, Golden Square added 2.1 to 1.3 in the crucial third quarter to lead 46-37 at the last break.<\/p>\n
It was to be either Waters or Golden Square coach Christian Carter who would give their address at three quarter-time for the season.<\/p>\n
Led by the play of ruckman Braidon Blake, rover Flynn Lakey, and work of Zachary Vescovi, Gisborne fired up to score 3.2 in a superb finish to the match.<\/p>\n
Gisborne took the lead approaching time-on and worked incredibly hard to stay in front.<\/p>\n
There were scoring chances for Square, but they were either points or went out of bounds on the full.<\/p>\n
At the final siren it was Gisborne which led 57-55 to clinch its first grand final appearance since 2012.<\/p>\n
Josh Kemp kicked three goals for Gisborne as Joel Brett and Hamish Morcom added two goals each for Golden Square.<\/p>\n
Best for Gisborne included Brad Bernacki, key defender Jack Reaper, and Nicholas Doolan.<\/p>\n
Golden Square\u2019s best were Ryan Hartley, Ricky Monti, Hamish Morcom, Jack Geary, Zavier Murley and Jon Coe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT was ecstasy and agony as Gisborne and Golden Square fought out a dramatic finish to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League\u2019s senior footy preliminary final on Saturday. With a place in the grand final at stake the all-Bulldogs clash added another chapter to a history of finals games at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The Rob […]<\/p>\n