THE Gunnedah Bulldogs have continued their winning start to the AFL North West season by accounting for the New England Nomads at Bellevue Oval.
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The Dogs turned around a three-point quarter-time deficit to walk away with a 16-8-104 to 9-11-65 victory.
Led by experienced campaigners Andrew George (four goals), Jacob Spackman (four goals) and captain Ben Maher (three goals), Gunnedah was able to fight off a late comeback and secure the 39-point win.
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Maher said the victory was a "massive confidence boost" for his young side.
"To get over the Nomads on their home turf this early in the season is a big boost for us," Maher said.
"We will aim to take that momentum forward into the rest of the season."
The second-year captain said the performance of the side's younger players had been very impressive.
"It's bloody great to see those younger guys play well, especially because we don't have a junior team," he said.
"For them to get the win will give them even more confidence going forward as well."
The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to a round four clash against the Moree Suns at the Moree Showgrounds.
"I'd say we will be working on our talk and our short kicking during the week at training," Maher said.
"Rushing our possessions has hurt us a little bit over the last three weeks and is something we really need to work on.
"So, I think there will be a big focus this week on slowing things down and making sure we hit our targets, particularly coming out of the back line."
Maher set the tone for his side's victory, earning three holding the ball decisions in a matter of two minutes in the third term.
"I don't like to talk about my own game too much, but it is nice to play well and have the boys want to follow that lead," he said.
"I think we are really well placed to go far this season and if we keep turning up to training, working hard and playing for each other, then I think we will go pretty far."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
