To know the Gunnedah Bulldogs veteran is to understand why he reacted so.

Doug Meagher has known George since being appointed Bulldogs coach for the 2019 season.

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George had coached the side the previous year, when Gunnedah lost to Inverell in the grand final, but Meagher said the role was not for him.

Meagher elaborated: "He just wants to turn up, train, play the game of football as best he can and have some success, and then basically switch off and go back to his life ... [He is] very quiet, very assuming.

"But when he speaks, he's got gravitas ... When Georgie speaks, people listen."

Meagher has played and coached football around Australia, and has previously encountered man in the mould of George. Such players are the "most welcome people in clubs that you can have".

"People that don't say a lot, are unassuming, do their job, are really good footballers and have earnt the respect of players through their character as well as their football prowess," Meagher said.

George is a member of Gunnedah's old guard - men who have been through the gloomy years and are now basking in the light.

Meagher said that George was still one of the competition's best players. "And he would be a very, very good player in any country football competition anywhere in Australia," the mentor added.

The undefeated Bulldogs travel to Inverell on Saturday.