A slow start cost the Gunnedah Bulldogs in their AFL North West men's competition match against Inverell.
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The Saints flew out of the gates on their home deck with 12 scoring shots in the first quarter.
The strong start gave the home side a 5.7 (37) to 1.0 (6) lead at the first quarter before extending the lead to 44 points by half-time.
The Bulldogs clicked into gear in the second half but weren't able to peg back the big lead.
They reduced the margin at each quarter, and came within four goals at one point, with the final score reading 12.18 (90) to 8.5 (53) in favour of the Saints.
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Jakob Vearing and Mitchell Swain kicked three goals apiece and were both named in Gunnedah's best.
Gunnedah's ever-reliable captain Ben Maher was named best on for the Dogs in front of Nick Ferguson and Ryan Cooper who had big games.
The result was reversed in the women's match where Gunnedah triumphed in an enthralling affair.
The teams couldn't be split at quarter time before the Poochettes edged clear to hold a seven-point lead at the main break.
Both teams had six scoring shots each heading into the third quarter where the Bulldogs stood tall.
Gunnedah kept Inverell to just the one point in the second half as they kicked away to a 8.7 (55) to 2.5 (17) win.
Amy Clark kicked two goals in a best on ground performance for the Poochettes while Anabelle Ottery also snagged a brace of goals and Laura Ewington kicked three.
The win put the Gunnedah outfit two wins ahead on top of the women's ladder. Inverell are in second.
The final Bulldogs team to take to the field on the weekend was the under 14s who hit the road to take on Armidale.
The Pups suffered their first loss of the season but not before giving it their all.
They were only just pipped, 4.6 (30) to 4.3 (27), in a game where the lead changed multiple times.
Logan Costin was a force in front of goal with three goals for Gunnedah.
Lacie Kleinschafer also kicked a goal and was named Gunnedah's best.
Chad Fisher, Thomas Carlyon, Luke Jeffrey, Sarah Kemp and Jarvis Cameron all had strong games for the Pups.