The Gippsland Tigers went down by 73 points to a powerful Gisborne line up in superules football at home on Sunday.
An undermanned Tigers outfit, including four of their key onballers who played with the flu, were no match from the opening bounce against an extremely fit and well drilled opposition.
Gisborne dominated from the outset with its ruckman controlling the centre clearances, giving their onballers first use.
Steve Wilson, who was a regular under 47s player, rucked all day against overwhelming odds, and Col Mackrell and Wayne Hicks battled hard against some quality opposition.
Gisborne kicked five goals to the Tigers’ two points in the opening quarter to set the scene for the day.
The second quarter was even as Wayne Paulet, Matt Giesch, Danny Reid and Bruce Siddle tried to stem the flow.
Peter Kavadias gave the side some drive from the last line of defence.
A two goal to three quarter gave the locals a small window at the long break.
The second half was all Gisborne as its superior fitness and ball use came to the fore, kicking another seven goals to the Tigers’ solitary goal.
Russel Ludby and Waren Watson tried hard all day on their wings and Grant Musgrove gave the team some life in the forward half, but in the end it was a comprehensive victory to Gisborne.
Final scores:
Gisborne 14.7 (97), Gippsland 3.6 (24)
Over 47s
Gippsland’s over 47s lost by 20 points in an even contest played in magnificent conditions at home on Sunday.
Gisborne only broke clear in the final minutes of the last quarter.
The game was even for the first half with only two points separating the two sides.
Scoring was low as the game was mainly played between the two half-back lines as both midfields where trying to gain the upper hand.
Allan Cootes and Steve Wilson tried hard in the ruck, and the defence led by Marc Callow, Michael Muccello and Peter Falls were great under extreme pressure.
In the third quarter Gisborne scored some quick goals to take a 14-point lead into the last stanza.
Grant Nicholas and Danny Shaw were in everything as usual and Ray Wilson was a welcome addition in his first game for the year.
The Tigers gave it their best in the last quarter and controlled the ball for most of it, but just could not convert it to the scoreboard.
Gisborne scored a couple of goals before the end of the game to come away with the victory.
The season will end with the final match of the year in the over 35s in the much anticipated clash between Gippsland and the Wellington Warriors to be played at Nambrok on Sunday from noon.
Final scores:
Gisborne 10.7 (67), Gippsland 7.5 (47)
