RUGBY LEAGUE:
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After more than a decade since the Gunnedah Bulldogs first grade last contested a grand final, this weekend they are back again and as hungry as ever for the premiership title.
They have a tough opposition in undefeated minor premiers, the North Tamworth Bears, who will host this year’s Group 4 Grand Final.
The Bears have all four grades in the final and undoubtedly have been the premier side in the top grade this season.
But if there was ever a side to beat them in the most crucial game of all, it’s the Bulldogs.
Ranked second throughout the majority of this season, the Bulldogs are arguably the only side to challenge the Bears’ stranglehold on the competition.
From the back-row to the front-row and throughout the Bulldogs’ backline, the sides oozes class and potential.
"It’s exciting times to be involved with this club."
- Gunnedah coach Shane Rampling
Captain Trent Hilton leads by example with damaging runs through the centre, his deputy Jordy Ford isn’t one to shy away from the big hits in the defence. All the while backed by great workrates from the remainder of the forward pack including Shane Blair, Andrew Seach, Andrew Cameron to name just a few.
In the backs, Aaron Donnelly and Robert Briggs can weave magic from nothing, while Jie Smith, Adam Mooney and Cameron Lewington are routinely hard to stop.
Should the Bulldogs win on Sunday, the premiership victory will be the first since 1998 when they last contested and won a grand final.
Coach Shane Rampling said there will be some tweaking of the gameplan before Sunday’s final in an effort to reverse the defeats suffered so far at the hands of Norths.
“We’re going to go back and change a few things in our strategy and come up with a plan that will work for the weekend,” he said.
“Because what we’ve been doing before hasn’t worked. It has worked in patches but hopefully we can put it all together on Sunday and come away with a win.”
More than anything, the coach felt the Gunnedah side has all the makings of premiership-winning outfit regardless of previous results and is proud to lead the troops for the club’s first, top grade grand final in 16 years.
“I feel immensely proud of the boys,” he said.
“I knew when I came to town, there were a lot of special players here and I knew success could be gained here at this club.
“As long as the players put the right attitude down and match it with their ability... this year they’ve pretty much done that.
“It’s exciting times to be involved with this club.
“There are a lot of good, young kids coming through and the guys in our first grade squad are starting to mature as players now.
“And I can only see good times ahead.”
It’s not just on the field, that the club is generating interest either with many in the local community getting behind the Bulldogs this year as well.
“A lot of people who probably haven’t been to a game for a few years, they’re slowly starting to come back and take an interest in the team and that’s what it’s all about.
“Gunnedah has a strong tradition of rugby league.
“To get to a grand final for Gunnedah is one of my proudest achievements.
“Hopefully we can go on and do the job.”
A supporters bus for spectators will depart the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club at 9.30am on Sunday bound for the grand finals in Tamworth. Cost will be about $10 per person.
The Bulldogs will also be holding a public training run on Saturday about 9.30am. This will be followed by a grand final breakfast at the Services Club where the club welcomes all family, friends, supporters, sponsors and fans to attend.
The team has also planned a walk down Conadily Street later that morning in a show of appreciation for the community’s support this season.