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GISBORNE withstood a last-quarter surge from Sandhurst to win its first BFNL under-18 premiership for 16 years on Saturday.
The game looked well in control for the Bulldogs at the final change after they comprehensively outplayed the Dragons in the third quarter to build a 31-point advantage.
However, the Dragons charged home to the city end in the final term, but ultimately fell just short.
The Dragons booted five goals in the final term, the last by Lachlan Baker from 15m that brought the margin back to under a kick.
From the following centre ball-up the Bulldogs’ Jacob Murphy won a free-kick and sent the ball out to the swimming pool flank before the siren sounded soon after on a 12.15 (87) to 13.6 (84) Gisborne victory at the QEO.
Despite having had double the scoring shots of Sandhurst at half-time, the Bulldogs trailed by eight points as the Dragons led 6.1 to 3.11.
But after a first half of missed opportunities – the Bulldogs kicked 1.6 in the first quarter and 2.5 in the second – they found their radar in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs blitzed the Dragons out of the middle and made the most of their forward opportunities by booting 8.3 to 2.0 to go from eight points in arrears to 31 points in front ahead of what became a thrilling final term.
The Rod Ashman Medal for best-on-ground was awarded to classy Sandhurst forward James Vlaeminck.
Vlaeminck starred for the Dragons with a bag of eight goals, which included a sensational soccer out of mid-air in the final term.
The AFL Victoria Medal went to Gisborne captain Liam Spear, who played six senior games this year, while the Bulldogs also had a dominant key forward in the impressive Harry Jones, who slotted five goals.
While it was a first under-18s flag since 2002 for Gisborne, it was Sandhurst’s third grand final defeat in a row. The Bulldogs’ premiership team was coached by Marty Lakey.
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