Round 14 of the Greater Bank AFL North West competition will see the Gunnedah and District Bulldogs take on the Saints in Inverell on Saturday.
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The Varley Oval clash between the in-form, second-placed Bulldogs and the third-placed Saints may provide a sequel to semi-final action later in the season.
Inverell celebrated their 2007 premiership reunion last weekend with a hard fought three-point victory over the Tamworth Kangaroos and are making their premiership credentials felt throughout the competition.
Earlier in the year the Dogs convincingly outplayed the Saints in running out 114-point victors at Wolseley Oval.
But their preparation leading into this weekend has been based around the knowledge that the Saints on their home deck are a different proposition.
But buoyed by two trips to Inverell that culminated in victories last season, the Dogs now firmly believe the task isn’t impossible.
With a solitary loss so far this season, a win would see the Dogs lock down second spot for the remainder of the year. At the same time, they would keep pressure on the New England Nomads for top spot.
Dogs coach Greg Piggott is happy with how the season has panned out thus far, but is quick to acknowledge that past experiences and results count for little come Saturday.
“We’re coming off three consecutive wins against them, but that means nothing come Saturday” Piggott said.
“It’s a massive game against probably one of, if not, the form sides of the comp, having beaten a good Kangas side last week.”
The Dogs can claim form on their side also, as their last start saw them annihilate the Tamworth Swans 306 to one at home.
Yet they are down a couple of key contributors to their excellent start to the year, in backmen Danny Johnstone, who is nursing an AC shoulder injury, and Pat Higgins, who will be absent due to work commitments.
However they do have the luxury of depth.
Players such as skipper Andrew George and vice-captain Brad Jenkinson are able to fill voids all over the ground.