GISBORNE clipped Eaglehawk’s wings in a six-goal turnaround to win the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL senior footy preliminary final on Saturday.
The Rob Waters-coached Gisborne set up another grand final showing with Sandhurst as it charged to a 71-51 victory against the Hawks at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
As Gisborne prepares to make one last hurrah from the Bendigo competition it also denied the Borough’s quest for back-to-back premierships.
The Hawks were in control as a hat-trick of goals gave them a 41-26 lead nearing half-time.
Gisborne’s only major in the second term was through some Brad Bernacki brilliance.
In the third quarter Gisborne’s intensity at the contest, ability to work to outside runners and find team-mates in space was outstanding.
Back-to-back goals by Pat McKenna and another by Shane Clough put the Bulldogs up, 46-43 by three quarter-time.
Just as it had done in its elimination and first semi-final wins, Gisborne’s pressure did not ease.
A running goal by Clough was followed by a Matt Merrett snapshot and then a set-shot from Clough on the boundary line in the Faith Leech Aquatic Centre pocket to lead 69-44.
Eaglehawk’s only goal of the second half was a snap by captain Billy Evans which bounced through at just under 13 minutes to play.
The Bulldogs were dealt a massive blow just minutes later when Brad Bernacki left the ground clutching at his jaw after a contest on the grandstand wing.
Gisborne’s leading goalkickers as it charged to another grand final were Clough and McKenna on three each.
What Rob Waters described as a fantastic team performance was led by captain and key defender Zac Vescovi, Will Elliott off half-back, on-ballers/mids Dylan Johnstone, James Gray and Brad Bernacki, and young ruckman Lucas Carnell.
The Hawks’ attack was led by Jacquin Mifsud on three goals as Oscar White kicked two.
Best for an Eaglehawk team coached by Travis Matheson and Clayton Holmes were Noah Wheeler, Oscar White, Jacquin Mifsud, Callum Heath, Dylan Hanley and Jack Donat.
Four clubs will feature in Saturday’s grand finals.
Eaglehawk won through to the Drummond Golf reserves as it fought from 17 points down in the second quarter of the preliminary final clash with South Bendigo to mark a 47-37 victory.
Best for the Borough were Sam Dean, Jaxon Vroom, Jack Leersen, and Alan McDonald medallist and captain Ethan Hanley.
The Bloods’ best were Toby Hardingham, Cohen Balnaves, Tait Rojewski and Wil McCaig.
It’s another appearance for Sandhurst in the Sportspower under-18s after the Dragons beat South Bendigo by 14 points.
The Dragons led 36-13 at half-time before the Bloods upped the pressure to surge to a 44-40 lead at a quarter to play.
Inspired by Tommy Byrne, Drew Warren and Thomas Smith it was Sandhurst which lifted its game to charge to a 66-52 victory.
Luke Cameron led the attack for the maroon and blue with three goals as Kingston Uerata added two.
Best for South Bendigo were Rylan Newman, Zavier Ralphs, Campbell Wood and Eamon White.
Leading goalkicker for the Bloods was Logan Howell on two.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street, Bendigo:
Sportspower under-18s at 9.15am: Strathfieldsaye v Sandhurst.
Drummond Golf reserves at 11.50am: Sandhurst v Eaglehawk.
Bendigo Bank seniors at 2.20pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.
