A standout performance from midfielder Adam Baird and eight goals from Dylan Johnstone set up Golden Square’s 73-point thrashing of Gisborne at Wade Street.
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Baird has played many great games for Square, but few have been better than his 46-possessions and four goals on Saturday.
With co-captains Jack Geary and Brayden Dorrington and forwards Travis Baird and Hamish Morcom on the sidelines, Square needed its experienced players to stand up and Adam Baird led the way superbly.
Johnstone, who had struggled to hit the scoreboard in the first four rounds of the season, returned to his best with eight goals.
Tom Toma racked up 35 touches and young centre half-forward Jordan Rosengren had his best game of the season.
“Senior players tend to play well most weeks and they don’t have really bad games,’’ Square coach Bernie Haberman said.
“It’s the younger players on your list that can have those 2/10 games at times. Our role players played well today, our senior players really led the way and we probably had better spread of contributors this week.”
Square’s efficiency inside forward 50 was also much improved. Prior to Saturday the Dogs’ biggest total this season was 11.13 (79).
Gisborne was on the back foot from the start after conceding seven goals to none in the first term. The young Bulldogs had been competitive in every game this season before the loss to Square. Daniel Weaver, Heath Simpson and Pat Trotta were named Gisborne’s best.