The Bendigo Netball League grand-final re-match saw the Bulldogs come out firing with the A-grade team continuing its good form over the Roos.

Gisborne’s defensive pressure and slick passes through the midcourt was the difference, with the Bulldogs running out 12 goal winners.

Gisborne coach Kerryn Jorgenson said it was an awesome win.

“We have a good core group that is set now and the last two weeks in particular they have played well,” she said.

Dogs defenders Ellie Newman, Polly Satter and Melissa Harris put in stellar performances, putting pressure on the Roos’ attacking end.

“It was the best game I have seen the three of them play,” Jorgenson said.

“They were fantastic.

“Our goal keeper and goal defence played well together last year but they have been a bit slow in getting into the season, but the last few weeks they have been on the ball.”

 Jorgenson said it was important her team capitalised on their turnovers.

“Early on in the season we were turning the ball over way too many times and for once it was the other team turning it over,” she said.

Versatile Gisborne player Madeline Stewart was moved into goal attack in the second half, a tactical move says Jorgenson.

“I thought in the last part of the second quarter it was a bit stagnant in the goal ring and we were struggled to get into the ring,” she said.  

“I just needed a bit more movement, so I put her there and it worked.”

Kangaroo Flat lifted its intensity in the final quarter, but couldn’t bridge the gap.

“We knew they were going to come at us,” Jorgenson said.

“Especially after the grand final last year, so the focus was to not get too nervous in that last quarter and just play each ball as it came.

“They played it out to the end which was good.”

Kangaroo Flat coach Janelle Hobbs said it was a disappointing result.

“We didn’t play well at all today, we couldn’t get it together,” she said.

“I give credit to Gisborne, they played really well. It is probably the best I have seen them play for a while.”

The loss was soured by an injury to captain Lauren Cowling, who copped a knock to her knee.

“Lauren (Cowling) suffered what looks like a bad knee injury again,” she said.

“She had a knee reconstruction last year so fingers crossed it isn’t that bad.”