Recognition for ending Gunnedah’s long premiership drought wouldn’t be the only reward awaiting Bulldogs players for beating North Tamworth in the grand final on Sunday – a monetary thank you would also be forthcoming.
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Gunnedah president David McCann revealed that the club told the players after the mid-season mark that they would receive payments for winning games, with the inducements increasing during the finals.
McCann said the players did not get paid last season and were not expecting that to change this season.
He described the bonuses as akin to a “week’s wage, a couple weeks’ wages – it’s not a lot”.
“But when you think you’re playing for nothing, and all of a sudden someone says, ‘Here, we’re gonna give you this for your efforts’, I think it’s appreciated,” he said. “Like I said, they were more than prepared to play for nothing at all, and anything’s better than nothing at all, I guess.”
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The club’s ability to make match payments follows McCann’s election as president two seasons ago and, according to McCann, an increase in the number of Bulldogs board members and subsequent fundraising activities, as well as the club receiving a sponsorship boost.
He said the board’s evaluation of what they could afford to pay the players took place after the mid-way point of the season.
“If you haven’t got the concerns about finances, it makes things a lot easier to progress and do what you need to do to get the job done as well,” he said.
