GISBORNE’S Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League winning streak at Gardiner Reserve is over, after Kangaroo Flat stunned the Bulldogs by 25 points on Saturday.
Gisborne entered the round 12 clash having won its past 35 games at Gardiner Reserve, but the Roos prevailed 12.9 (81) to 8.8 (56).
With the win, Kangaroo Flat became the first team since Golden Square on June 4, 2005, to defeat Gisborne at Gardiner Reserve.
In other results on Saturday, Eaglehawk thumped Kyneton by 208 points at Canterbury Park, winning 39.21 (255) to 7.5 (47), with Hawks’ skipper Brady Herdman booting 12 goals.
Golden Square returned to the winner’s list with a comfortable 20.15 (135) to 9.5 (59) victory over Sandhurst at Country Vet Oval.
South Bendigo showed Strathfieldsaye why it’s on top of the ladder, with the Bloods belting the Storm by 134 points, 25.20 (170) to 5.6 (36), at the QEO.
And at Camp Reserve, Maryborough ended Castlemaine’s three-game winning streak with a 15.10 (100) to 10.11 (71) victory.
But the major talking point of the round was Kangaroo Flat’s surprise victory over Gisborne.
It was a much-needed win for the Roos, who had dropped their past two games to Golden Square and Sandhurst, and were hanging onto their position in the top five by just percentage heading into Saturday.
“Our performance last week (against Sandhurst) was disgusting, so we had to come out today and prove a point, so it was a good result,’’ Kangaroo Flat coach Darryl Wilson said.
“To be truthful, Gisborne has got a few injuries, so we thought it was an opportune time to do something that hasn’t happened for a long time down here.
“Probably the big thing today, our defensive pressure was the best it has been all year, where we forced Gisborne to go wide and turn it over.
“We played well and it was just a great team effort.’’
Kangaroo Flat led at every break - 13 points at quarter-time, three at half-time and 13 at three quarter-time.
The Roos then added 4.1 to 2.1 in the final quarter to record arguably their greatest win since their 1996 premiership triumph.
Kangaroo Flat won the clearances 37-30, and the inside 50 count 45-37.
Just like he was three weeks earlier in the Roos’ other notable win of the season against South Bendigo, Joel West was outstanding in the ruck, and also kicked two goals.
“Joel was just unbelievable for us,’’ Wilson said.
Brendan Hehir and Rowan Warfe were dominant in the backline, while midfielders Shannon Geary (two goals), the hard-at-it Billy White and wingman Ashley Benbow were also pivotal in the upset win.
Despite the superb victory, Kangaroo Flat has dropped a position on the ladder, going from fourth to fifth after Eaglehawk’s percentage-boosting win over Kyneton.
Gisborne coach Ty Elliott was scathing on his side’s performance after the game.
Having started the season with seven consecutive wins, the Bulldogs have now lost three of their past five, and have another injury concern after key forward Callan Potter (knee) was forced from the ground after just five minutes.
“Full credit to Kangaroo Flat, they played well,’’ Elliott said.
“They made the most of their opportunities when they went forward, but we just killed ourselves with our ball use.
”All our match-ups seemed to work really well, it’s just guys that are fringe-rated players aren’t making the most of their opportunities.
“They need to be able to step up and be accountable and apply themselves to their footy, instead of just drifting in and thinking they can rely on blokes like (Ollie) Messaoudi and (Shaun) Comerford to get them over the line.
“Those players need to have an impact too, you can’t just live off the other guys.’’
Ollie Messaoudi was again exceptional in the midfield for Gisborne, and also kicked a vital goal after the three quarter-time siren to draw the Bulldogs within 13 points.
Grant Besaggio contained Roos’ key forward Justin Maddern to three goals, while others to play well for the Bulldogs included veteran Matt McKenzie, Daniel Favaro, who ran with Grant Ford, wingman Tom May (two goals) and Ryan Webster.
Despite the defeat, the Bulldogs remain entrenched by two games in the top three.
Kangaroo Flat’s win was the first time since round 16, 2001, it had defeated Gisborne, with the Roos having lost their previous 15 encounters to the Bulldogs.
Prior to Saturday, Kangaroo Flat’s past seven trips to Gardiner Reserve had resulted in losses by 131, 155, 161, 126, 185, 115 and 91 points.
During Gisborne’s 35-game winning streak at Gardiner Reserve, the Bulldogs’ average winning margin had been 89 points.
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