For the Bulldogs, whose president Hamish Russell lovingly calls a tin-pot organisation, it was arguably the greatest day in their 43-year history. For never before have they celebrated two premierships in the one year.

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It would have been three had the Dogs' under-14 side commenced a four-pronged grand final day by beating the Roosters: the final score 13.8 (86) to 2.6 (18).

But there would be no commiserations for the Dogs in the women's and men's matches: the home beat the Swans 4.10 (34) to 4 (24) in the former and 18.16 (124) to 11.6 (72) in the latter.

Gunnedah's women greeted the full-time siren with a rush of unrestrained jubilation, the Dogs' dream debut season now a "fairy tale", gushed their veteran player and co-coach, Louise Kestles, post-match.

The men's celebration was more subdued at first. But when the players hugged one another in the centre of the oval, as it sunk in that they had won back-to-back premierships and three in four years, the celebration intensified and tears flowed.

Gunnedah equalled the feat of the club's 1986 side by remaining undefeated for the season. Bulldogs founder Brian Lenton coached the '86 outfit, and this week he labelled the 2020 Dogs the club's best-ever team.

However, for the first time this season they were seriously tested - with the Swans, who had been thumped by Gunnedah in their two previous clashes in 2020, refusing to be bullied by the Bulldogs' vaunted offence.

But after trailing 12.10 (82) to 9.5 (59) at three-quarter time, the Swans capitulated in the final term as Gunnedah finally found their highest gear: the star of the onslaught Jaydon Stiles. The Victorian import - who only came to Gunnedah after his competition was cancelled because of COVID-19 - kicked eight goals and was named best on ground.

It was the 26-year-old forward's first senior premiership, which was made more special by his younger brother, Josh, playing alongside him. Winning the grand final "means the world" to him.

"Obviously with COVID everywhere we weren't expecting to play footy at all," he said. "So, to come up here and win a flag, and for it to be the first time [for me], there's no better feeling."

Bulldogs coach Doug Meagher said the Swans "made us work for it".

"Their pressure was great all day," he continued. "We just weren't on, and they were. And it took us three quarters to get it right. But when we got it right, there was some really good football in the last quarter."

The Swans' resurrection has been one of the region's best sport stories. Three years after enduring a winless season, they made their first grand final since 2009.

Longstanding Swans coach Paul Kelly said that that was an achievement in itself, and he was "very proud" of his players on Saturday.

"We had a game plan, and the boys stuck to it really well," he said. "It was just that last quarter ... they blew us away there a bit."

Alice Mitchell - who arrived in Gunnedah this year after she lost her job in Sydney - was best on ground in the women's game.

"It was a whole team effort ... They put in the hard yards," she said. "And it paid off in the end: winning the premiership in our first season."

In the under-17 clash, the Roosters beat the Saints 9.5 (59) to 6.7 (43).

More to come ...