GISBORNE’S three-point victory at Golden Square in the 17th round has kept the fight for the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s top five in the senior footy alive.

Just who goes through will not be known until after next Saturday’s matches at Kyneton and Gisborne respectively.

There was plenty at stake as the league’s Bulldogs, Golden Square and Gisborne clashed at Wade Street Oval.

The Clinton Young-coached Gisborne led 32-19 at half-time, but the Square fired up to win the third term, 4.2 to 1.4.

Golden Square held a three-point lead at a quarter to go.

In a dramatic final term it was Gisborne which fought on to win a top contest, 7.16 (58) to 7.13 (55).

On a tough day for forwards, Thomas Fraser kicked two goals for the winners.

Leading goalkicker for Square was Adam Baird on two.

There were plenty of contributors in Gisborne’s victory.

Josh Grabham was named best for the red, white and blue, as Nicholas Doolan, Anthony Belcher and Heath Simpson all played key roles in a memorable win.

Golden Square captain Jack Geary starred again, as did Baird, Dale Lowry and ruckman Matt Compston.

The Bernie Haberman-coached Golden Square faces a tough task to stay in fifth place.

Locked on 40 premiership points with Gisborne, but 18 per cent clear, Golden Square takes on Kyneton at Tigerland next Saturday.

A red-hot Gisborne will start favourite against South Bendigo at Gardiner Reserve.

Kangaroo Flat made a great start to ruckman Nick Lang’s 200th senior game.

The Roos led 26-12 at quarter-time of their clash with Eaglehawk at Dower Park.

By half-time the Hawks led 38-27.

A strong Eaglehawk defence conceded just two goals after quarter-time as the Borough went on to win 11.16 (82) to 6.6 (42).

Sam Harper booted two goals for the Hawks and nine other team-mates chipped in with a major.

Kangaroo Flat’s attack was led by co-coach Corey Greer and Dylan Klemm on two apiece.

Best for the Two Blues were Jack Fallon, Sam Harper, Dillon Williams and coach Josh Bowe.

Matt Filo starred against his former club to be the Roos’ best along with Ross Turner, Dylan Klemm and Liam Collins.

Maryborough put in another fighting performance against Sandhurst on the Magpies’ turf at Barkers Trailers Oval in Princes Park.

The Ben Lavars-coached Maryborough led 29-24 at half-time.

The Dragons fired up to dominate the third term, 6.3 to 2.1, on their way to a 13.12 (90) to 7.11 (53) victory.

Ex-Richmond player Daniel Connors marked his return from a hamstring injury by kicking four goals for the Dragons.

Leading goalkicker for Maryborough was Lachlan Bond on three.

Sandhurst coach Andy Collins was best afield and had great support from Taylor Strachan, Jake Pallpratt and Zeb Broadbent.

Best for the Magpies were Coby Perry, Jacob Long, Luke Bucknall and Lachlan Bond.

Castlemaine put in a great performance to be within eight points of Kyneton at half-time of the match in the Magpies’ next at Camp Reserve.

The Tigers dominated the third quarter, 6.5 to 2.1, and went on to win 14.22 (106) to 7.6 (48).

The classy Ethan Foreman kicked six goals and now has booted 55 in a great year for the yellow and black.

Jake O’Brien was Castlemaine’s best and also kicked two goals.

Best for the Tigers were hard-working on-ballers Billy Mahony, Max O’Sullivan and Gareth Bowes.

Dylan Atkins, Tyler Gavralas and Jesse Johnson also played well for Castlemaine.

Strathfieldsaye had too much class for a determined South Bendigo in Saturday night’s match under the QEO lights.

A tally of 32 scoring shots to 14 was a sign of Storm’s dominance.

There was no doubt about South’s workrate and pressure, but Storm’s hard-running half-back line and midfield set up plenty of chances for a formidable attack.

Bryce Curnow kicked a match-high five goals and Lachlan Sharp added four in a 13.19 (97) to 5.9 (39) result.

The Bloods attack was led by the talented Brock Harvey on three goals.

Storm captain Kallen Geary won plenty of possessions in a best on ground performance, and Shaun Dwyer worked extremely well to keep the dangerous Kaiden Antonowizc, who leads the Ron Best Medal on 64, goalless.

Caillum Brady, Jayden Donaldson and Curnow also starred for Strathfieldsaye.

The Bloods’ best were Quade Johnstone, Brock Harvey, Corey Daniels and Callum Crisp.

In other matches to complete the home and away series, Eaglehawk takes on Maryborough at Canterbury Park; Sandhurst plays Castlemaine at Queen Elizabeth Oval; and Strathfieldsaye hosts Kangaroo Flat at Tannery Lane.

Bendigo FNL senior footy ladder:

Strathfieldsaye 60 points, 218 per cent; Eaglehawk 56, 182; Kyneton 46, 138; Sandhurst 44, 167; Golden Square 149, 40; Gisborne 40, 131; South Bendigo 30, 93; Kangaroo Flat 16, 54; Maryborough 4, 45; Castlemaine 4, 25.