In the last six seasons, the Gunnedah Bulldogs have won three times.

On Saturday, they will look to make it four and their second consecutive when they host the 2015 medal count and annual presentation dinner at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club.

Bulldog Andrew George won it last year after what co-coach Ryan Cooper described as a stellar season of football.

“He was by far the best player around,” Cooper said.

“He stood head and shoulders above the rest.”

Making  the achievement “even more ridiculous” was that it was George’s first year back from crippling injury.

Previous medal winners from the Gunnedah club include 2011 dual recipient Paul Brown – a Victorian who won it with just nine season games under his belt.

In 2009, former Bulldog and now Sydney Swan, Sam Naismith, shared a three-way tie for the title. 

Cooper rated George a strong contender for this season’s title despite him battling on-going knee and hip injuries. But the reigning title holder will have stiff competition.

“Other players might have taken some chances away from him,” Cooper said.

“We had more guys in the midfield this year and managed a pretty stable team.”

The added club depth allowed workhorses like George a rare breather and the opportunity for the club’s younger talent to shine.

Two of those have been nominated for another of Saturday’s major presentations – the Rising Star Award for the competition’s best young player.

Bulldogs Luke Curgenven and Tom Witts have had standout seasons and will vie alongside players from the TAFL’s seven other clubs for the honour.

Curgenven, who comes from a soccer background, has been an asset on the Gunnedah flank this year.

His pace is exceptional with great top-end speed while also delivering superb work on the rebound.

Witts is an ex-rugby junior who played his first game of Aussie Rules just last year.

Coaching staff trialled him in a tagging role which he executed brilliantly.

“He goes in hard under the ball,” Cooper said.

“His kicking and passing has come on in leaps and bounds.”

Saturday will also feature as the competition’s final regular round games for 2015.

The Bulldogs host a “vastly improved” Moree Suns at Wolseley Park, kicking off at 1pm.

With their season all but over, Cooper said they would be lucky to get away with a win, such has been the development of the Moree club this year.

“They have some good young kids in that side,” he said.

Gunnedah’s season hopes were ended in round 16 earlier this month when facing the Narrabri Eagles at home.

A finals berth was on the line and the Bulldogs needed a win.

“We knew it was do or die for our season,” he said.

Cooper was left nursing a badly broken wrist from the encounter and team-mate Andrew Pratt, a painful foot injury.

The Eagles went on to win 19.10-124 to Gunnedah’s 13.14-92.

To coincide with the TAFL presentation on Saturday evening,  Wolseley Park will host a second match between Narrabri and the Inverell Saints kicking off at 3pm.