Gisborne coach Brad Spear is keen to see how his young side bounces back from adversity in Sunday’s clash with Eaglehawk at Canterbury Park.
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The Dogs had been competitive in the first month of the season, including a win over Kangaroo Flat and a five-point loss to Strathfieldsaye, but last Saturday they were handed a 12-goal thumping by Golden Square.
The performance took Spear by surprise and, after a long review, he’s hoping his young chargers return to their best form against the Borough on Sunday.
“It’s going to be tough for us because it’s always hard to play well against Eaglehawk at their ground,’’ Spear said.
“We were disappointing against Golden Square, but we’ve had the week to look back on that game and learn some things from it.
“I’m keen to see how the boys respond to that.
“We’ve made improvement from last year, but with so many young players in the group it’s going to take more time.
“I think we need a win against one of these sides to really give the group some belief and confidence.”
Gisborne’s hopes of upstaging the Hawks have been strengthened by the return from injury of former Collingwood and Hawthorn wingman Clinton Young.
“Youngy’s hamstring wasn’t bad enough to miss a few weeks,’’ Spear said.
“We could have played him last weekend, but we decided to it was better to be cautious.
“We thought it would be better to have him available this week rather than risk him hurting his hamstring more and have him on the sidelines for several weeks.”
Eaglehawk has lost Sam Harper to injury and dropped Brock Rogers, but on a positive note it has regained key midfielder Jesse Collins and reliable defender Glen Daly.
Sunday’s game marks the BFNL’s indigenous round, with the Hawks and Bulldogs playing for the Wirama Perpetual Shield.
The match provides an opportunity for learning and paying recognition to the living aboriginal culture of the traditional owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung.
“This is an exciting time for Dja Dja Wurrung people as events like this place us back in the landscape that we were removed from. It also provides a relaxed place for the whole community to get together and support local sport,’’ Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation chairman Trent Nelson said.