Beneath a somber sky, a joyous event occurred at Wolseley Oval on Saturday afternoon.
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In only their second-ever match, the Bulldogs women hung on for an emotional one-point win over reigning premiers Inverell - the final score 6.14 (50) to 7.7 (49).
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For the first time, the Bulldogs got to sing the team song - although beaming co-coach Sam Proudfoot had to hold up a board featuring the lyrics, so new was the experience for his eager chargers.
The Bulldogs women have quickly become one of the region's feelgood stories, in an age where good news is desperately needed.
Formed in the off-season, they are bulging with players, enthusiasm and a newly minted spirit.
Louise Kestles is a Tasmanian who was playing AFL in Hobart when the women's game was in its infancy there (the Tasmanian Women's Football League was launched in 2007).
She came to Gunnedah about three years ago and works in the mining industry.
When she heard whispers that the Bulldogs were contemplating forming a women's side this year, she texted club president Hamish Russell and urged him to do it.
She is co-coach of the side with Proudfoot, and she is also a Bulldogs defender.
Getting that first win was "phenomenal", she said, adding: "It's going to boost our confidence ... The first win is amazing."
Beating the Saints, she said, "showed us what we're made off" while staying "pretty humble".
The Bulldogs played with "freedom", Proudfoot said, against a side who "have set the benchmark for this comp for years now".
"A very, very, very good start [to the season] - and a lot of positives to draw on," he said.
Like the Bulldogs men, Proudfoot said, the women had been "blessed" player wise.
"We keep having people show up," he said. "We're incredibly lucky to have someone with Alice Mitchell's experience [she trained with GWS's Winter Series squad last year].
"But we've also pulled in players from all these different walks [of life], who just have a sporting IQ that's through the roof.
"They're diligent in their training, we have a simple game plan and we hold each other accountable."
The Bulldogs men thumped Inverell by 115 points - the final score 19.18 (132) to 2.5 (17). A report on that match is coming.