Gisborne

Gisborne Football Netball Club, affiliated with the Bendigo Football Netball League, requires the services of sports trainers for the 2023 football and netball season.

There are a number of positions available and while these would be suitable for experienced trainers, they also present an opportunity for students of physiotherapy, paramedics  and other sports and medicine orientated courses to gain hands on experience in the field.

Duties will involve injury management, taping, hydration and sports massage and you would be working in a supportive environment with other qualified and experienced sports medicine staff.

Minimum qualifications required are a Level 1 Sports Trainer, Level 2 First Aid, current CPR and a Working with Children Check.

Candidates should be available on Saturdays for game days and at least 1 training night. Hours can be negotiated.

Remuneration is available and training courses can be organised.

Please direct all enquiries and expressions of interest to Jodie Bannan, Head Trainer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Gisborne Football Netball Club (GFNC), affiliated with the Bendigo Football Netball League, seeks applications for the position of U18s Men’s Football Coach for the 2024 season and beyond.

Established in 1879, GFNC is a proud and professional sporting organisation, and the ideal candidate will be someone who can demonstrate leadership, management and technical skills to continue the development of our playing list, along with the ability to mentor other coaches and support staff within the club. The ability to engage with club members, sponsors and other key stakeholders is also required.

Previous playing and/or coaching experience at a high level is essential together with a proven record of developing and improving players.

The successful applicant will be a strong leader and will establish the highest quality football and coaching program.

Enquiries and Expressions of Interest should be directed to John Wood, President at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than September 25, 2023.

Since joining the BFNL in 2000, the Sydney Olympics year, the Gisborne Bulldogs have produced many outstanding players, in both footy and netball.

They’ve set visiting clubs a daunting task to win at the Gardiner Reserve, know familiarly by scribes and commentators as the “Graveyard”, making the Gisborne trip a nightmare for opposing footballer and netballers.

And of course they’ve won senior or A grade premierships in both sports: football in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and in last year’s pouring rain the 2022 flag: 5.20 (50) to Strath Storm’s 2.10 (22).

The A grade netball flag was won in 2013.

You can read the complete list of the Dogs’ individual trophy winners at the end of this article.

When I look back at all those seasons since 2000, the club has produced some outstanding footballers.

Quite a few I’ll never forget: tough dual Michelsen Medallist Matt Fitzgerald, the “Rolls Royce” Luke Saunders who was a wizard inside 50, long kicking and hard-running half-back Rodney Sharp, goal sneak Darren Farrugia, and consistent, tough ball-winner Olli Messaoudi.

I shouldn’t forget key position player Anthony Belcher, at home at either centre half-forward or centre half-back, consistent forward 50 ball-winner and goalkicker Shane Davis, and the Barham brothers Marcus and Jordan.

Then there’s Gareth Bowes, who was pipped by one vote in the 2006 Michelsen Medal vote count, and another mobile key position player in Simon Elsum who had actually won the medal a couple of years earlier.

Among the big men Tom Waters and Jason Duff-Tyler were impressive all over the ground, while key backman Tim Walsh made the 2010-2019 BFNL Team of the century along with Waters and his brother, Michelsen Medallist Scott Walsh (2012).

When we go back to the Mick McGuane seasons – he coached Gissy to BFNL flags in 2002-2003 – there were some ex-AFL players in the ranks.

Ex-Western Bulldogs key forward Aaron James was an important member of the 2002 premiership team, Michael Werner who had played with Essendon and the Sydney Swans along with Damien Houlihan from Collingwood/North Melbourne both pulled on the Gissy guernsey.

Houlihan went on to play with North Bendigo in 2010 while Werner booted 173 goals in one season in the Riddell DFNL.

Going back to Malthouse, during Gisborne’s dominant run from 2002 to 2004 he coached the side to 50 wins and just five losses in the regular seasons and the finals.

A magnificent record by anyone’s estimation.

And I mustn’t forget to mention BFNL Hall of Famer, the ‘Action Attraction’: Steven “Revenue” Reaper.

In the red, white and blue Gisborne colours the full-forward won the Ron Best medal three of his five times, with a BFNL total of 732 goals: 429 for Gisborne and 303 with Kyneton

In the early Gisborne premiership years he nailed 78 majors (2002) and 102 (2003).

The 2002 end of home-and-away matches saw ‘Bundy’ on 70 majors so he nailed another eight in the finals while in 2003 after 18 rounds he was on 86 and added another 16 in that season’s finals.

“The Big Show” was a six-time member of BFNL interleague teams and was named in the Gardiner Reserve Dogs’ Team of the Century at full-forward

He was inducted into the BFNL Hall of Fame in November, 2019.

Among their netty trophies the Graveyard Dogs have the 2013 A grade pennant along with that season’s best-on-court grand final award winner, Melissa Harris.

Gisborne beat Kangaroo Flat in that grannie by the narrowest of margins. One point: 39-38.

They were runners-up 53-47 to Sandhurst in the big one --- in 2018.

Medal winners -- footy, Michelsen Medal: Matt Fitzgerald (2003 and 2007), Simon Elsum (2004), Luke Saunders (2005), Scott Walsh (2012).

Netball, Betty Thompson Medal: Tiana Newman (2009), Maddy Stewart (2018, 2022).

And in case you’re wondering how the Dogs went in their very first game in the BFNL in 2000 they scored a win.

Final scores: Gisborne 22.15 (147) def. Kyneton 10.9 (69). It was April 15th, 2000.

Six new coaches were appointed over summer in 2010 as BFNL clubs prepared for the 2011 season.

There were some top names among the appointments, headlined by Maryborough’s Michelsen Medallist Matt Aston and Gisborne’s ‘Rolls Royce’ Luke Saunders.

The other quartet of new faces included Luke Monaghan (Eaglehawk), Derrick ‘Dekka’ Filo (Kyneton), Darryl Wilson (Strathfieldsaye) and Tony Graham (Sandhurst).

Graham wasn’t a brand-new mentor, though. He’d led the Dragons from 1997 to 2000 including a 1998 grand final loss to Maryborough by 47 points.

He took over from Sandhurst stalwart Kieran Nihill who’d served a three-year stint.

Going through the others alphabetically club-wise, Monaghan was at the Canterbury Park helm following Filo’s eight-season era which had resulted in two senior premierships.

Monaghan had previously coached the Hawks under-18s from 2005 to 2007 and he’d then had three years as the Bendigo Pioneers assistant coach.

Four-time premiership player and Michelsen medallist Saunders took over the Graveyard duties from Ty Elliott.

Not only had he played in the Bulldogs’ string of flag wins he’d also captained the successful sides in 2005 and 2006.

Saunders’ Gisborne side went down to Golden Square in the classic 2012 grannie which wasn’t decided until the final kick of the day.

Final scores: Square 16.10 (106) def. Gisborne 14.19 (103).

A Michelsen Medallist just like Saunders, Aston headed into his first coaching role at Princes Park.

He took over from Shane Fisher who’d led the Maryborough Magpies for three, consecutive seasons.

Filo had previously coached the Kyneton Tigers from 1995 to 1997, leading them to their famous flags in 1995 and 1997.

He’d also coached Kangaroo Flat from 2000 to 2002 taking the Roos to the 2000 grand final against Castlemaine where poor kicking let the Roos down.

Final scores: Castlemaine 12.11 (83) def. Kangaroo Flat 9.17 (71).

Filo took over from Paul Houston who’d coached the Tigers for two seasons: 2009-2010.

Although we didn’t know it then, a dozen years back, Strath Storm’s Wilson would become the most successful and prominent coach of the modern era.

He’d been in charge at Dower Park in 2008 and 2009 and had suceeded in leading the Roos to the 2009 preliminary final.

Final scores: South Bendigo 16.11 (107) def. K. Flat 10.15 (75). The Roos had downed Eaglehawk and Gisborne in earlier finals in that 2009 season.

And then out at Tannery Lane Darryl has moulded the BFNL’s premier side of the modern era as the Storm won flags in 2014-15 and then again in 2017 and 2019.

So that was the list of 2011’s brand new incoming coaches.

But four senior coaches from 2010 had stayed on for the upcoming season.

Premiership mentor Nick Carter would lead Golden Square for another season although he took a couple of weeks after the Wade Street Dogs 2010 flag celebrations had eased off to re-sign with his club.

Paul Eyles was returning for a return stint with Castlemaine and like Carter was going to be back for a second year.

However, Eyles had also enjoyed an earlier crack at coaching in the early Noughties.

He led the Camp Reserve Pies in 2004-2005.

Third returning coach was Murray Collins at Kangaroo Flat who, like Carter and Eyles, was saddling up for a second year.

Longest serving coach to re-sign was South’s Rick Coburn who was going into his fifth season.

He’d taken the Bloods to two second finishes in 2009 and 2010 along with 3^rd and 4^th placings, but sources had told footy writers the Bloods would go into 2011 with a much younger list.

2009 grand final: G Square 16.12 def. S. Bendigo 10.11 and 2010 grand final, G. Square 11.21 def. S. Bendigo 8.10.

So how did this impressive array of coaches end up as September in 2011 wound to a close?

Well, Carter’s Square finished unbeaten on top  of the ladder with an 18 win-0 loss record and cantered home in the grand final over Eaglehawk by 135 points.

They restricted the Two Blues to just five majors for the day.

At the other end of the table Filo’s Tigers didn’t win a game so they finished up with the exact reverse to Square: 0 wins and 18 losses.

So the ladder read at the end of August: Golden Square 18 wins, 0 losses, 72 prem. points, 267.3%; Eaglehawk 13-5, 52, 133.5%; Gisborne 12-6, 48, 142.99%; Sandhurst 11-7, 44, 130.5%; South Bendigo 11-7, 44, 117.4%.

Outside the Five: S’saye Storm 9-9, 36, 124.1%; Maryborough 9-9, 36, 81.8%; Kang. Flat 5-13, 20, 84.8%; C’maine 2-16, 8 prem. points, 55.9% and Kyneton 0-18, 0 points, 27.45%.

So Carter ended 2011 with a brilliant season -- home and away and finals. An unbeaten season for the Square.

And apart from the disastrous grand final Monaghan’s Two Blues did OK. As did Saunders with the Graveyard Dogs reaching the preliminary final.

Graham and Coburn probably rated in the 60-65 per cent mark as both clubs were gone by the end of the second week of the finals.

Wilson’s Storm were pretty new to the BFNL in 2011 so he gets a pass mark and so does Aston with the Princes Park Pies.

Both clubs had a nine win-nine loss record

Eyles and ‘Muzza’ Collins fall short of a pass mark, but at least the Roos under Collins scraped together five wins.

But Filo’s at the bottom of the barrel with the winless Tigers not setting any benchmarks at the Kyneton Showgrounds.

And there were some familiar faces in district coaching ranks for the 2011 season.

In the Heathcote DFNL North Bendigo had appointed Damien Lock, who’d played 18 AFL games for Carlton in 1998 and 1999.

Locky was also an Eaglehawk premiership player and back a little further in his footy career had won the VFL’s Bendigo Diggers fairest and best award.

Ash Wilson was the new coach at HDFL club Huntly. He’d enjoyed a fine career with Kangaroo Flat and had later coached premiership sides at Wandella and in partnership with Barry Pitson took Mitiamo to their 1999 flag.

Matt Pinniger was back in familiar territory at Colbinabbin as he took over from Brent Millar who’d led the Grasshoppers to the 2008 HDFNL flag.

At Mount Pleasant well-travelled local footy personality Denis Grinton had been named as the Mounts coach.

He took over from former Gisborne star Shane Davis who’d handed in his resignation in November 2010.

But it was a late appointment for Mounts as Grinton’s coaching job wasn’t revealed until mid-December.

Jason ‘Jugga’ Stevens was the new man at White Hills having stepped up from assistant coach.

Stevens served under Brent Dyer and for the 2011 season would have ex-South Bendigo outside midfielder Gavin Bowles as his assistant.

Incoming coaches in the LVFL for 2011 included Phil Walsh (YCW) who’d previously coached the Eagles to their 1997 flag.

Jim Angove was taking up the reins at the Marong Panthers, Phil Birchmore was to helm Newbridge while up at Pyramid Hill Leigh Davies was taking over from Shawn Filo whose health issues meant he had to step down.

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Bendigo Football Netball League will be held on Wednesday 18th January 2023, at The Bendigo Club (22 Park St, Strathdale), commencing at 7.30pm. 

Light refreshments and nibbles will be available following the meeting.

Please find below official notice of the annual general meeting, along with a Board of Management Nomination form for any prospective BFNL Board members.

Please take note of the submission deadline for Board nomination forms, along with any other general business to be considered by the Board.

General Business submission deadline: Wednesday 5th January 2022 at 6.00pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

NOT many clubs have marked a victory in senior footy at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in recent Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League seasons.

In Saturday’s start to the 2023 season it was Strathfieldsaye which stunned Gisborne in the rematch of last year’s grand finalists.

A new-look Gisborne had Brad Fox mark his first match as senior coach, and Jack Reaper as captain.

The Bulldogs led 22-14 at quarter-time, but the Darryl Wilson-coached Strathfieldsaye struck back to lead 42-36 by half-time.

Storm’s pressure, run and greater accuracy were telling factors in the vital third quarter as it added 3.2 to 1.4 to hold a 15-point lead at a quarter to go.

The Bulldogs fought on to win the last, 20-17, but it was Storm which celebrated a memorable 79-67 victory.

Michelsen medallists, Jake Moorhead and captain Lachlan Sharp played starring roles in Storm’s win.

A gun on-baller, Moorhead was best afield as Sharp kicked a match-high four goals.

Recruited from Violet Town after kicking a century of goals last season, Jack Exell was also sharp in Storm’s attack and booted three.

Gisborne’s attack was led by former Castlemaine player Zac Denahy, and Harry Luxmoore on three each.

Best for Storm were Moorhead, Callum McCarty, Bode Stevens, Daniel Clohesy, Riley Wilson and Joseph Mayes.

Gisborne’s best were Jack Reaper, Liam Spear, Luke Ellings, Flynn Lakey, Sam Graham and Matt Weber.

It was a tough slog for Maryborough and Castlemaine at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

The Coby Perry-coached Maryborough looked a great chance to break its winless run as it led 25-14 at three quarter-time.

In the last it was Castlemaine which dominated the centre breaks and stoppages.

After a wayward 1.8 in the opening three teams, Castlemaine added 3.5 to a point in the last to claim a 37-26 victory in Brendan Shepherd’s first match as the club’s senior coach.

Castlemaine’s best were John Watson, Brodie Byrne, Matt Filo, Lloyd Butcher, Callum McConachy and Brendan Josey.

Ty Stewart, Joel Stewart, Brady Neill, Luke Bucknall, Taj Bond and Kya Lanfranchi played well for Maryborough.

A five-goal surge in the second quarter put Eaglehawk in control of its contest with South Bendigo at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval.

It was the start of a new era for South Bendigo which now calls the Neale Street ground home.

A highlight for Eaglehawk was the Geary brothers, Jarryn and Kallen teaming up for the first time in many years.

The Nathan Horbury-coached Bloods led 14-7 at quarter-time, but the Hawks scored 5.1 to 2.3 in the second to lead 38-29 at the main break.

South Bendigo won the third, 16-12, to be within five points at a quarter to go.

The rain and slippery conditions were a test for all players.

Led by the play of Billy Evans, Clayton Holmes and Dylan Hanley, the Travis Matheson-coached Hawks won 58-48.

Recruited from Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square respectively, Kallen Geary and Dylan Hird led the Hawks’ attack on two goals each.

Sam Griffiths and Will Keck kicked two goals for the Bloods.

Best for the Two Blues included Charlie Laangford, Sam Thompson and Joel Mullen.

The Bloods’ best were Riley Walsh, Mac Cameron, Oscar White, Braydan Torpey, Brody Haddow and Will Keck.

Sandhurst had to work hard to defeat a spirited Kangaroo Flat at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The heat was on the Dragons as the Nathan Johns-coached Kangaroos led 29-24 at three quarter-time.

Sandhurst doubled its score in the last as it added 4.1 to 2.0 to mark a hard-fought 49-41 victory.

Back at the Dragons from Bridgewater, Andy Collins kicked two goals as did Lachlan Wright.

The Roos’ attack was led by Luke Foreman on two.

Sandhurst’s best were Isaac Carracher, James Coghlan, Hamish Hosking, Zach Pallpratt, Matt Wilkinson and Nick Stagg.

Mitch Trewhella, Ryan O’Keefe, Ethan Roberts, Angus Grant, Mitch Collins and Toby Roberts were best for the Kangaroos.

Six goals to nil in the opening term put Golden Square in control of its clash with Kyneton on the Bulldogs’ turf at Fur Life Oval in Wade Street.

The Bulldogs were determined to mark captain Jack Geary’s 200^th senior game with a victory and did not disappoint.

After a return of 6.6 in the first, Golden Square added 4.1 to 1.1 in the second to lead by 59 points at half-time.

The Paul Chapman-coached Kyneton did lift to score 2.2 to 2.3 in the third.

Gun forwards Joel Brett and Jayden Burke kicked four and two goals respectively as the Christian Carter-coached Bulldogs won 89-25.

The classy Tom Quinn kicked two goals for the Tigers.

Best for the Bulldogs were Ricky Monti, Liam Duguid, Terence Reeves, Liam Barrett, Tom Toma and Zack Shelton.

The Tigers’ best were Jordan Iudica, Tom Quinn, Matthew Hanna, Lucas Iudica, Mitch Comben and Mitchell Johns.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Golden Square 356 per cent, 4 points; Castlemaine 142, 4; Eaglehawk 120, 4; Sandhurst 119, 4; Strathfieldsaye 117, 4; Gisborne 84, 0; Kangaroo Flat 83, 0; South Bendigo 82, 0; Maryborough 70, 0; Kyneton 28, 0.

Match of the day in Saturday’s second round will be at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane where Storm takes on Golden Square.

Castlemaine is at home at Camp Reserve to take on Gisborne.

Eaglehawk and Maryborough clash at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

Kyneton tackles Sandhurst at Kyneton Showgrounds.

Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo do battle on the Roos’ ground at Dower Park.

A CRUCIAL netball clash will be played on Castlemaine’s court in this Saturday’s second round of A-grade action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League.

Last season’s preliminary finalists, Castlemaine and Gisborne will do battle at the Magpies’ home in Camp Reserve from 2.20pm.

Last September it was Gisborne which ended the Magpies run after a 51-48 victory in the first semi-final.

The Magpies and Bulldogs triumphed in last Saturday’s opening round of the ’23 campaign.

The Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Castlemaine won a hard-fought match at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

At the final whistle it was Castlemaine which led 47-37 in the battle of the Magpies.

Gun defender Zoe Davies played a key role as Gisborne won 49-24 against Strathfieldsaye at Gardiner Reserve.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne also had goalshooter Tori Skrijel, the 17-under competition’s best and fairest and a premiership winner last season take to the court.

The Gisborne attack also includes the classy Claudia Mawson.

Another big match will be at Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park where last year’s runner-up takes on South Bendigo.

The Roos are on the rebound from defeat.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos could not halt Sandhurst’s charge to a 10-goal win at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

South Bendigo coach Janelle Hobbs will be keen to see the team build on the momentum from a 70-31 win against Eaglehawk.

The Bloods’ pressure in defence and through mid-court will be vital against such a skilful and slick-moving Kangaroos’ line-up.

Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square meet on Storm’s court at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.

Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.

Despite a 25-goal loss at Gisborne there were plenty of positives for the Steph Freemantle-coached Strathfieldsaye which had several recruits on court.

The Benita Swatton-coached Golden Square will be determined to limit Storm’s attack and also capitalise on its moves into the goaling circle.

Eaglehawk and Maryborough meet at Eaglehawk’s Canterbury Park.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Hawks will be keen to hit back after a big loss at Harry Trott Oval against South Bendigo.

Maryborough’s playing coach Jordan Macilwain would have been rapt with the workrate against the highly-rated Castlemaine in the opening round.

Back-to-back wins are in the sights of Kyneton and Sandhurst as they meet in Tigerland at Kyneton Showgrounds.

The Dianne Guest-Oakley coached Kyneton won 54-23 at Golden Square, but face a much stronger opponent in the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst which has won four A-grade premierships in a row.

Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:

Kyneton 234 per cent, 4 points; South Bendigo 225, 4; Gisborne 204, 4; Castlemaine 127, 4; Sandhurst 127, 4; Kangaroo Flat 78.7, 0; Maryborough 78.7, 0; Strathfieldsaye 48, 0; Eaglehawk 44, 0; Golden Square 42, 0.