Strathfieldsaye made the trip to Gisborne hoping to achieve two goals – produce a solid win on the eve of the finals and not get any injuries.
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After a slow start, the Storm achieved objective number one without too many problems.
However, not for the first time this season, objective number two was a failure.
Co-coach Bryce Curnow and skilful defender Tom Dowd both suffered hamstring injuries and are in doubt to play any part in the finals.
“We just can’t take a trick,’’ Strathfieldsaye co-coach Darryl Wilson said.
“Bryce and Tom will know more about their injuries on Monday, but it doesn’t look good at this stage.”
The Storm plays Golden Square in the qualifying final under lights at the QEO on Saturday night.
The injuries took the gloss off the Storm’s 88-point win over Gisborne.
The young Bulldogs gave the Storm a scare early when they kicked the first four goals of the game.
The Storm responded by kicking the next 17.
Fergus Payne continued his good form for the Storm, Jayden Donaldson kicked four goals, while youngsters Jake Moorhead and Josh Formosa were lively.
Gisborne’s best were Trent Crosbie, Anthony Belcher and Eamon McKenna.
The Dogs finish 2016 with just three wins, but with plenty to look forward to.
They have a strong group of young players coming through and, with the addition of some bigger bodies, have the opportunity to advance up the ladder in the next few years.
