ONE of the keys to Gisborne’s dynasty of success in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League in recent years has been a focus on stifling opposition sides with relentless defensive pressure.
In 37 of 68 games since the start of the 2006 season, Gisborne has held its opponent to under 10 goals, showing just how tough it is for clubs to score against the Bulldogs.
And it’s Gisborne’s defensive pressure that is going to have a significant bearing on whether the Bulldogs remain unbeaten after this weekend.
Top-of-the-ladder Gisborne tomorrow travels to Country Vet Oval to take on Golden Square in the match of the round.
Statistically, Golden Square has proven itself to be the most potent scoring side this season, averaging a score of 139.
Only twice - against South Bendigo (73) and Sandhurst (109) - has Golden Square failed to kick a score above 140 this season, highlighting the challenge confronting Gisborne to keep its Bulldogs’ namesake to a losing score.
But while Golden Square is the most attacking side after seven rounds, Gisborne is holding the mantle as the best defence, with its average score against of 59 being No.1 in the BFL.
“Every game is a danger game, and obviously, Golden Square is a really good attacking side,” Gisborne coach Ty Elliott said yesterday.
“They can kick large amounts of goals in a short amount of time, so as long as we respect them and work hard defensively to try to minimise their scoreboard pressure, then hopefully, we get the right result.
“Generally with the way we play, we think defence before attack, and I would think that has been evident in the way we have been able to conduct ourselves so far.
“We haven’t been kicking prolific scores ourselves, but we have been able to minimise the scoring impact the opposition has had.
“If we can do that then we’re always going to be in the game, then it just comes down to belief and fitness, and fortunately for us, those things have worked out for us so far.”
Gisborne has two significant inclusions for its clash with Golden Square, which is third on the ladder with a 6-1 record.
Dual premiership skipper Luke Saunders will make his first appearance for Gisborne since the losing grand final to Eaglehawk in 2007, and inter-league representative Ryan Webster returns from a calf injury.
Saunders’ inclusion in the side has created a massive buzz at Gisborne, which has won its seven games this season by an average of 43 points.
“Obviously, Luke is a very important inclusion for us and we’re very excited to have him back in the side,” Elliott said.
With Anthony Holdstock still out of the Golden Square side, James Walsh looms as a potential match-up for Saunders.
On the downside for Gisborne, a corked calf will keep in-form midfielder Casey Summerfield sidelined.
Summerfield was one of Bendigo’s best in its inter-league victory over Ballarat two weeks ago, while he sits third on 17 votes in The Advertiser-ASM Player of the Year Award.
Showing the depth at Gisborne, Tristan James, who kicked five goals against Strathfieldsaye two rounds ago, has been omitted.
For Golden Square, it should be champing at the bit to have a crack at Gisborne.
Golden Square - Sportsbet’s premiership favourites at $2.25 - hasn’t played a top-five side since it was belted by 74 points by South Bendigo in round three.
Golden Square, which defeated Gisborne by 25 points in last year’s preliminary final, will be missing tenacious defender Clayton Anderson, who is suffering a neck injury.
Meanwhile, at Princes Park today, Maryborough hosts South Bendigo in the only match of the round where there is a clear-cut favourite.
But while the Bloods are expected to notch up their seventh win of the season and further cement their position in the top three, their depth will be tested.
Missing from the Bloods’ side today will be Neville Clark, Julian Lake, Jared Keely, Gavin Bowles and Gavin James.
Bowles, who finished fourth in the Michelsen Medal last year, and James have been omitted.
Both sides enter today’s contest with winning form.
South Bendigo defeated Sandhurst by 52 points last week, while Maryborough overcame Kyneton Leg 3 by 30 points to notch up its second victory of the season.
Last week’s victory moved the Magpies from ninth to seventh on the ladder and they are now just one game outside the top five Today’s game starts at 2.15pm.
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