THE Gunnedah Bulldogs have claimed outright first position on the AFL North West ladder with an 11-point victory over the Inverell Saints.
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Hosting the reigning premiers at Wolseley Oval, the Bulldogs were out to avenge their 2018 grand final defeat to the Saints, as well as keep their undefeated start to the season going.
Neither side looked to give an inch all day as both teams traded the lead throughout the game.
For the Bulldogs, experienced campaigners such as Andrew George, Jacob Spackman and Scott Hardy helped keep the Dogs' noses in front thanks to accurate kicking in front of goal.
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However, the Dogs appeared to be out of luck late in the third term as the Saints extended their slender lead to 10 points heading into the final quarter.
But, two early goals in the final stanza saw the Bulldogs draw level with the Saints and eventually run out 17-8-110 to 14-15-99 victors.
Spackman was the Dogs' best in front of goal finishing with six majors, while Hardy, Baker and Gary Briggs each kicked two.
Lachie White was the Saints top goal kicker with five.
Gunnedah coach Doug Meagher said he was pleased with his side's desire to not let the game slip away.
"I think the most pleasing thing of all was that our guys didn't just roll over and let Inverell run away with it," Meagher told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"They all stood up when the game was there to be won and as a coach you can't ask for too much more than that."
Meagher said the pace of Bulldogs youngsters Jasper Thomas, Tom Maher and Hayden Baker was pivotal in the side's victory.
"I have to say those young guys played well, in particular Jasper, he was outstanding," he said.
"I moved him onto the half-back line, which is not a position he is really used to playing.
"But, he adapted to it really well, and provided us with the run and pace out of the back line we needed."
The Bulldogs will now look to their next game against the Tamworth Kangaroos on June 22 in Tamworth.
"There's no doubt that match with Inverell was the most physical our guys have had so far this season," Meagher said.
"Don't get me wrong, it was physical in the best way and I'm sure our guys will take a lot out of it.
"They [Inverell] are the benchmark, so now we will rest up and look to work on some of the things we learnt from this match."
Saints' midfielder Hayden Chappell said he was impressed with "some aspects" of his side's game.
"We did some things pretty well but there were some areas where we let ourselves down," Chappell said.
"One area was our entry into our forward 50.
"At times we didn't lower our eyes and just bombed it in there, which hurt us a bit.
"Still, there is plenty for us to take out of this game and despite the loss we are pretty happy with how we are travelling."