BFNL: Gisborne wins thriller, Storm starts season 0-2

The 13.13 (91) to 12.18 (90) victory gave Gisborne's new coach Rod Waters a win on debut and left the Storm with a 0-2 start for the first time since 2010.

The Storm fell away in the final quarter of last weekend's stand-alone season-opener against Sandhurst and again on Saturday their opposition had the better of the latter stages of the game to clinch victory.

Little separated the two teams on the scoreboard all day before the Storm gained a two-goal advantage midway through the final term.

The visitors' waywardness in front of goal proved costly as the Dogs kicked the final two goals of the match to edge in front.

The Storm had a couple of chances in the final two minutes to pinch the victory, but one shot missed for a behind and another was out of bounds on the full.

"It went down to the wire and it could have gone either way,'' a relieved Waters said.

"Strathfieldsaye probably looked like they had us in the final quarter, but we stuck at it and we stuck at it and managed to make the most of our opportunities.

"It was two good teams going head-to-head in a great game of footy. We finished with the win, but Strathfieldsaye could have won it at the end.

"The most pleasing thing for us was the confidence and belief it gives our younger players.

"After the game you could see the look on their faces and how much it meant to them to get a win against such a quality team like Strathfieldsaye."

Storm co-coach Darryl Wilson was left to lament his side kicking 1.7 in the final term.

"We're disappointed we didn't win, but it was a cracking game of footy,'' Wilson said.

"Not many teams are going to come down here and win. We had a lot of young players in the side and they stood up really well.

"Our best players for the day were largely young players.

"If we kick straight we probably win the game, but there's nothing you can do about that after the final siren."

Gisborne's first-up win was orchestrated by midfield recruit Jake O'Brien.

In his first game since crossing from Castlemaine, O'Brien won a swag of the ball, particularly in the first half, and went forward and kicked three goals.

After missing most of 2019 through injury, key forward Jack Scanlon reminded the BFNL of his class with three goals in a crucial performance considering Gisborne's number one target Pat McKenna didn't play.

Veteran midfielder Scott Walsh was important for the Dogs, while first-gamer Zac Vescovi impressed down back and second-gamer Ben Eales showed some good signs in the ruck and forward.

The Storm's best was consistent midfielder Jake Moorhead along with Hunter Lawrence, Jye Formosa, James Schischka and Baxter Slater.

Star forward Lachy Sharp kicked four goals in an entertaining battle with old sparring-partner Tim Walsh.

Young forwards Cooper Jones and Riley Clarke kicked three goals each for the Storm.

Read more: Saturday Scoreboard

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