One thing is certain: Liam Ireland won't forget the last month in a hurry. It has been a special time in his life and in his football development.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And wouldn't he, his teammates and the Bulldogs faithful love that positive feeling to last two more weeks.
Because if it does, the Bulldogs would be premiers, and Ireland - a 17-year-old rake currently doing his HSC trials at Gunnedah High - may have been pivotal in that happening.
That, of course, is the fairy tale: the reality will unfold at Kootingal on Sunday when Gunnedah face the Roosters in the elimination final.
Read Also:
It's an intriguing match-up between two sides peaking at the right time of the year.
Gunnedah's form spike has coincided with Ireland's promotion to first grade, when he came off the bench in a 12-man Bulldogs side's thrilling 38-34 away loss to Werris Creek on July 27. Gunnedah coach John Hickey described that match as a turning point for his side, who had, up to that point, misfired.
Ireland - who had play under-18s and reserve grade this year before his promotion - made his top-grade starting debut two rounds later in a 44-26 away defeat of Boggabri, while he started again when the Bears finished strong to beat Gunnedah 44-18 at Kitchener Park last round.
Against Norths, Ireland scored a sharp try when he went himself from dummy half close to the Bears' tryline.
Commenting on Ireland after the match, Hickey said: "We knew he was there. What we were trying not to do was expose him too early [to first grade]."
He added: "From the point of view of how he plays, I think he's a terrific young footballer. And I told him tonight that he's got a lot of potential as a footballer.
"But I think the thing that stands out the most is he's got plenty of ticker ... He's a very tough, committed young kid who loves rugby league. And I think it's gonna stand him in good stead in the years to come."
Ethan Parry - a former Farrer student and current Parramatta Eel who recently made his NRL debut - said it should be every young league player's goal to play NRL.
It's Ireland's goal, although he would be happy getting a trade after school and winning first-grade premierships with the club he first joined as a young child.
He feels like he got elevated to first grade at the right time, as "everyone started clicking at the same time". "I didn't come into a side that was sort of, like, staggering into the finals."
Against the Bears, Hickey had planned to rest Ireland in the second half but then decided to use him for the whole match, before replacing him late in the game when he cramped up.
Ireland described the clash as "pretty special". "I haven't really played a game like it before."
Unsurprisingly, Ireland rates the speed and toughness of first grade as the biggest adjustment areas for him.
He obviously believes he can improve. "But I've been fairly happy so far."
He added: "I'll just work as hard as I can and get as good as I can. There's no point playing if you're not gonna try and do your best."
