GUN onballer Ollie Messaoudi marked his 200th senior match by being among Gisborne's best in Saturday's win on Eaglehawk's turf at Canterbury Park.
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The Bulldogs continued their superb start to the season by winning a hard-fought contest, 86-70.
A long-time team-mate of Messaoudi's and now senior coach, Rod Sharp was rapt with Gisborne's four-quarter effort.
"This is one of the toughest places to play," Sharp said after the match.
The contest began with Patrick McKenna first to goal for Gisborne.
Consecutive goals by Sean Williams put the Hawks in front, 14-8 at quarter-time.
The second began with a brilliant left-foot snap by Eaglehawk young gun Justin Bateson after being on the end of a Kevin Archbold handpass.
The Bulldogs fought back brilliantly.
Hamish Govan and Ethan Minns goaled on the run to the Simpsons Road end.
Bulldogs' captain Ben Sonogan took a strong mark on the grandstand wing and then goaled after a 50m penalty.
Hawks' full-forward Matt Gilmore plucked the ball out of the air at a boundary throw-in and kicked truly to make it 32-28 in Gisborne's favour at half-time.
The Bulldogs dominated the third term.
Goals by Michael Thornton, McKenna, Shaun Comerford (2), Riley Paterson and Matthew Knox put the Dogs up 69-37 at a quarter to go.
The Borough never stopped trying and scored 5.3 to 2.5 in the last.
Tyler Miles (2), Brodie Collins, Sean Williams and Brodie Filo were on target for the Two Blues.
Gisborne's goals in the final term were kicked by Ethan Minns and Matthew Knox.
"We have made an outstanding start to the season," Sharp said of a run in which nine players have made their senior debut across six matches.
James O'Hare was the latest to mark his senior debut for Gisborne.
"As a coaching group we are rapt with how the players are responding to instructions and their execution, not just skills, but in their workrate and mental approach to every contest," Sharp said.
He said reward for effort was achieved by scoring six goals in the third quarter.
"We were running to and winning more contests."
The Bulldogs' best were led by Shannon Greetham who limited the impact of the dangerous Filo through midfield or in attack.
Tim Walsh's play in defence was among the many highs for the red, white and blue.
Wingman Riley Paterson, Minns, Patrick Trotta and Messaoudi played well for the Dogs.
Eaglehawk's best were captain Luke Button, Glenn Daly and Damien Lock.
In a fitting tribute, the Hawks and Bulldogs players formed a guard of honour for Messaoudi at match end.
