The doubters were starting to circle Gisborne.
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After the 41-point loss to Eaglehawk in round 16 there were some theories emanating about the Bulldogs that "they're vulnerable on big grounds" and "they're flat track bullies".
Two weeks out from the finals the Bulldogs silenced the doubters with an emphatic 45-point win over fellow finalist Sandhurst.
The Bulldogs relished the open spaces, had the right balance of talls and smalls for the QEO, ran out the game strongly and looked well suited to conditions that were very close to what they're likely to get in September.
The 15.8 (98) to 7.11 (53) victory secured the club the double chance for the finals.
"It's really exciting for our group considering where we've come from,'' Gisborne coach Clinton Young said.
"We had a taste of finals last year and we're in the position now that we wanted to be in at the start of the season.
"Now we can go into next week (against Golden Square) and hope to build some momentum for finals."
Gisborne had the Dragons under control for much of the game.
Not for the first time this season the Dogs jumped out of the blocks brilliantly by kicking the first four goals inside 10 minutes.
The Dragons worked their way back into the game and had five-straight scoring shots, but only managed 1.4 on the scoreboard.
Somewhat against the flow, the Bulldogs moved the ball from defence into an open forward 50 and athletic big man Jaidyn Owen snapped his first major.
Gisborne's good work in the first 25 minutes was undone in the final five minutes of the opening term.
The Dragons kicked three unanswered goals in the midst of a host of melees that continued into the quarter-time break.
After Gisborne kicked the opening goal of the second term to extend its lead to eight points, the Dragons had the better of general play for the next minutes.
Related: Sandhurst v Gisborne photo gallery
Related: Saturday scoreboard
The period of play summed up the day for the Dragons.
Their aggression at the ball and work ethic was terrific, but their disposal and decision making was poor.
Two snap shots from inside 30m were touched on the goal line by Gisborne defender James Ferry and against the run of play the Bulldogs took the ball coast-to-coast and Owen kicked his second goal.
A fine running goal from Lachie Zimmer to open the third quarter saw Sandhurst get within six points of the Bulldogs, but that was as close as they'd get.
Despite having enough of the ball the Dragons didn't kick another goal until Joel Wharton slotted one home on the run in the dying seconds of the match.
Gisborne's pressure, Sandhurst's inability to hit targets and a Bulldog back six led superbly by Ferry ensured the second half was one-way traffic on the scoreboard.
It's unlikely we'll hear Ferry's name called on Michelsen Medal night, but the key defender was clearly the best man on the ground.
He took the points on Sandhurst star Matt Thornton and set up play for the Bulldogs.
Injuries to Young (leg) and Tom Fraser (shoulder) were the only negative for Gisborne.
"I was really pleased with our pressure,'' Young said.
"I thought we could have used the ball a bit better at times, but overall I was really happy with the way the boys attacked the game."
Sandhurst coach Ashley Connick was left to lament his side's lack of efficiency forward of centre.
"Our last kick forward was ordinary all day,'' Connick said.
"The boys give great effort every week...but I thought our forward entries were average, our forward set-up didn't work that well and their back six were pretty good.
"When you add all that up it's tough to kick a winning score against a quality side.
"We've got a bit of work to do, but it's all fixable."
The defeat means the Dragons are locked in to face old rival Golden Square in the elimination final on September 1.
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