In a year of momentum-building highs, spliced by mid-season lows, the Gunnedah Bulldogs have experienced it all in 2015.
There was one last hurrah for the club late last month when they beat Moree Suns in the final regular season round.
The 50-point victory was a fitting way to end this year’s Tamworth Australian Football League (TAFL) just as they started and on a winning note.
“It puts the boys on a bit of a high for next year,” Bulldogs co-coach John Woolaston said.
“It’s good confidence.”
The Bulldogs had a whirlwind start to the year.
They bagged successive victories in their first four matches despite a late pre-season preparation.
But the good times never last forever and in the weeks that followed, the effort waned.
“A few players took it a bit easy mid-season,” Woolaston said.
“Consistency was a bit of a problem.”
Gunnedah players share a laugh during their last match against Moree. Photo: Marie Low
Rock bottom was a huge 230-point loss to competition heavyweights, the New England Nomads.
Nevertheless, the camaraderie and Bulldogs team spirit remained.
It was on the back of his club bond that a number of Gunnedah players, new and old, rose to the occasion.
Their efforts were rewarded in the last match against the Suns when the Dogs got home 17.17-119 to Moree’s 10.9-69 at Wolseley Park.
Among the best in the Bulldogs line-up was four-goal hero, Pete Chapman.
The centre-half and former Bulldogs coach moved to Newcastle before returning to the club to pick up where he left off.
Also in the thick of it was defender-turned attacker, James Mack, who kicked two goals against the Suns.
“We had him starting off the forward line,” Woolaston said.
“It was bit of a role reversal for him.
“He played down the back as well.”
RELATED CONTENT: "PHOTOS: Bulldogs tackle Suns in final TAFL round"
This season was also a good year for club recruitment at the Bulldogs.
Woolaston said new arrivals from soccer and basketball have been particularly strong assets.
“The ones from soccer know they have to keep going, keep moving,” he said.
“A couple have played basketball and it’s similar to what goes on.”
This year they trialled multiple coaches, all experienced club players, to help share the workload.
The strategy had its advantages but it also suffered from its difficulties.
“It was sometimes hard having two or three chiefs at the game,” he said.
Next season the Bulldogs hoped to find just one individual to lead the club.
But just how that arrangement will work, as player-coach or otherwise, remains to be seen.
“We’ll just see who is available,” Woolaston said, who is also stepping back from coaching and committee roles next year.
Off-field, the Bulldogs were strong contenders in the TAFL’s 2015 presentation.
Luke Curgenven narrowly missed out on claiming the Sporting Pulse Coaches Award.
The awards were open to all competition teams and Luke was just one point shy of the most votes for the season.
Gunnedah’s Andrew George took out the title last year along with his coveted Tony Gillies Medal Count for Best and Fairest. This year’s coaches award was won by Nick O’Sullivan from Moree.
Mark Storey was another on the nomination list from Gunnedah who was unlucky not to pick up an award.
The former Bulldogs player, president and secretary-turned umpire was nominated for Volunteer for of the Year.
This season the award was won by Bill Holder from the Tamworth Swans.
Gunnedah is planning to hold its club presentation on October 17 at the Courthouse Hotel.
Source: Namoi Valley Independent Thursday 17th September 2015