Eaglehawk is one win away from a third-straight BFNL grand final berth after it overran Gisborne in Saturday night's qualifying final at the QEO.
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The Hawks kicked 10 goals to two after half-time to win 13.11 (89) to 7.9 (51) and advance to a second semi-final clash with Strathfieldsaye next Saturday night.
For a while it looked like it was going to be "one of those nights" for Eaglehawk.
In the first two-and-a-bit quarters the Hawks lacked their trademark flow, were forced to play a man short for 15 minutes of game time after Cam McGlashan was reported, had defender Oscar Madden leave the ground with an ankle injury and they were largely outplayed by Gisborne.
The Bulldogs' pressure was fantastic in the first half, they gave the Borough limited space and star forward Pat McKenna was providing plenty of headaches for the Eaglehawk defence and coaching staff.
Everything was pointing towards Gisborne scoring an upset win except the difference on the scoreboard was just 14 points.
By the nine-minute mark of the third quarter the Hawks had only kicked three goals for the game, but such is the Hawks' faith in their game plan they didn't panic and in the space of six minutes the game turned on its head.
The spark for the Borough was a piece of individual brilliance from Gedd Hommelhoff.
In a moment of panic the Gisborne defence soccered the ball off the ground to Eaglehawk's 50m line where Hommelhoff showed his class by executing three skills.
Firstly, he collected the fast moving ball cleanly without a fumble, secondly he shrugged off a Gisborne tackle and, thirdly, he kicked truly on the run from 45m out.
It was a play that would set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Three minutes later the Gisborne defence failed to do what Hommelhoff had successfully achieved - collect a ground ball cleanly - and Jesse Collins pounced to snap truly from 30m out.
Moments later Ben McPhee found space at a stoppage and snapped a goal from 35m out to put the Borough in front.
A Brad Bernacki goal for Gisborne from a free kick briefly put the Dogs back in front, but it did little to hinder Eaglehawk's momentum.
The Hawks had their mojo back and they picked apart Gisborne'a defence with some sublime foot skills.
McGlashan nailed a left-foot pass to McPhee outside 50, who then hit-up Riley Saunders with a brilliant pass.
Saunders kicked truly to make the lead five points before Brenton Conforti snapped his first goal of the night to give the Borough a handy 13-point buffer at the final change.
Gisborne ball magnet Ethan Minns gave the Dogs a spark when he kicked the first goal of the final term, but that was to be their last hurrah.
The Borough finished the game full of running and added kicked six unanswered goals.
Jeese Collins was outstanding all night for the Hawks, while McPhee and a huge impact on the game after half-time.
Clayton Holmes dominated the ruck in the first half before moving on to the dangerous McKenna in the second half.
McKenna threatened to tear the game apart in the first half when he kicked three goals.
The star forward finished the game with three goals and eight marks, but he had limited opportunities after the main break.
Gisborne, who went into the game without key midfielder Matthew Goodyear (illness), lost key forward/ruckman Jaidyn Owen to a leg injury in the second half.
The Bulldogs now await the result of Sunday's elimination final between Golden Square and Sandhurst to see who they meet in next weekend's first semi-final.
Eaglehawk 1.2, 3.4, 8.7, 13.11 (89)
Gisborne 3.2, 5.4, 6.6, 7.9 (51)
GOALS - Eaglehawk: Ben McPhee 3, Jesse Collins 2, Riley Saunders 2, Jack Fallon 1, Sean Williams 1, Brenton Conforti 1, Gedd Hommelhoff 1, Brodie Collins 1, Sam Harper 1. Gisborne: Bradley Bernacki 3, Patrick Mckenna 3, Ethan Minns 1.
BEST - Eaglehawk: Ben McPhee, Jesse Collins, Ryan Gillingham, Brodie Collins, Clayton Holmes, Richard Tibbett. Gisborne: Ethan Minns, James Ferry, Sam Graham, Bradley Bernacki, Patrick Mckenna, Joshua Grabham
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