The Gunnedah Bulldogs have started their 2021 AFL North West campaign with a bang by taking out the Crossroads Cup on Saturday.
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The women's side had a hiccup early with a loss to the Moree Suns but bounced back to beat the Tamworth Swans to progress to the final.
And it was there where the reigning premiers picked up right where they left off in 2020 as they scored a 8.7 (55) to 1.3 (9) win over Moree.
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Coach Sam Proudfoot was "super impressed" by his side's first hit-out for 2021.
"Nothing but upside - really positive. They made some mistakes but they learnt from them and did that within the span of one or two games," he said.
While the Poochettes will be looking to claim back-to-back AFL North West premierships, they will have to do it with a different squad in 2021.
"We've lost a lot of experience. We've lost leaders. I've lost a co-coach in Lou Kestles but numbers wise we're good, the new girls are really keen to learn," he said.
And a couple of those new players impressed Proudfoot on the weekend.
"Nikki Bruce was a standout for us - she's brand new to the game - and young Chloe Sumpter, she's in year 11 this year but stepped up the seniors and had good run through the middle and did really, really well for us," he said.
"It's exciting to see where these new guys go and I've been really impressed the skill development."
Proudfoot said the women's competition looked like it would go to another level this season: "The structure, movement through the middle and skills were outstanding."
The ruckman also played on the day for the men's side who took just 14 players over for the pre-season tournament.
The Bulldogs failed to win a match but Proudfoot said it was good to "rip the band-aid right off" with 120 minutes of football before their round one game this weekend.
Gunnedah will host the Tamworth Kangaroos at Wolseley Oval on Saturday.
The men and women will both take on the Roos while the under 14s will play against the Tamworth Roosters.
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