The Gunnedah Bulldogs have named strong squad rife with experience and youth for their season opener against Werris Creek at Kitchener Park on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs have beefed up their pack and will be ready to hammer Werris Creek for the big Ladies Day clash.
Gunnedah coach Mick Schmiedel was the first coach to name his starting lineup, following some good trials by the Bulldogs.
In one of those trials, young winger Jared Heinrich excelled.
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"A Singleton winger took an intercept and had 30m headstart on Jared," Schmiedel said. "Jared ran him down 20m from the tryline. Saved the try."
It was a one-percenter that struck a chord with Schmiedel and earned Heinrich a starting spot on the wing against the Magpies.
The return of Trent Hilton is a bonus for the Bulldogs. He joins KC Edmonds in the back-row, with Matt Baker and Lincon Smith the starting props.
It's a big, mobile pack that includes hooker Nick White and lock Liam Ireland.
White debuted in the halves last season while Ireland played wing and hooker, showing their versatility.
Another young Bulldog, Aiden Davis, was a lock or middle forward last season but has been moved to five-eighth for Saturday's encounter.
"We're like every club: we want to make the semis," Schmiedel said. "I will be disappointed if we don't."
Werris Creek will settle on their side at Thursday night's training session.
BULLDOGS: 1 Dylan O'Brien, 2 Tommy Randall, 3 Zak Turnbull, 4 Paul Sharpley, 5 Jared Heinrich, 6 Aiden Davis, 7 Dylan Lake, 8 Lincon Smith, 9 Nick White, 10 Matt Baker, 11 KC Edmonds, 12 Trent Hilton, 13 Liam Ireland, 14 Jono Crowe. Coach: Mick Schmiedel.
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