In an effort to revive Aussie Rules in Gunnedah, the Gunnedah and District Bulldogs AFC was reformed in 2002 and continued to grow in strength in the Tamworth AFL. Prior to the Bulldogs re-entry to the TAFL, the club had been in recess for more than 10 seasons after the North West AFL competition was suspended.
Founding President and Coach, Andrew Polkinghorne, was instrumental in the club's reformation and development. With a wealth of talent all across the ground, Gunnedah were at one stage leading the competition with only a few rounds to go in the season. With experienced players including past captain/coach, Dave Chapman, Dave Pate, Dean Patten, Stacey Gogos and Dave Snook, together with a mixture of new players including Scott Hardy, Travis Walls, Brendan Lemon, Dean Foley, Tony Clark, John Woolaston and Arlo Pryor, the club was determined to prosper. A spate of serious injuries to key players saw the Club scrape into the Finals, equal with the Tamworth Swans, but ahead on percentage. A home Final was not enough, with the Doggies bowing out in the first week of the Finals series.
The following two years saw a large exodus of players from the Club. Polkinghorne and Gogos left the area,whilst the formation of the Narrabri Club saw a number of key players leave the Club. The Club entered another rebuilding phase. Lack of off-field personelle meant the load was thinly spread. Doug Garnett and Tony Clarke, together with Dave Snook and Mark Storey kept the Club ticking. Successes were rare for a few years. Travel, especially to Inverell, Armidale and Muswellbrook often saw Gunnedah take the field with less than 18 players, often with no bench players.
In 2005 the Bulldogs welcomed Paul Reid to its ranks as Coach. Wins started to come, but Paul's health was deteriorating, with his sad passing a low point of 2006.
Club President, Doug Garnett, took on the coaching role for the 2007 season. Again, lack of on-field success was evident.Off-field assistance was still limited to a dedicated few.
Due to family commitments, Doug Garnett was unable to continue as President in 2008. Past player, Dave Chapman, took on the position, as well as being appointed coach. The Club achieved success by running fourth after the Home and Away rounds. Unfortunately the Nomads defeated the Dogs by a goal in a close Semi-Final.
Financially, the Club gained great support through sponsorship with the Court House Hotel, the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club, Karen Carter's Chemist and AJ's Video. Supporters were able to become Social Members. A number of past Presidents in Brian Lenton, Brian Hailes and David Keating, together with Bob Hardy, Steve Pratt, Ian Franke and Les Baker provided additional funds.
With a more settled squad of players, the Gunnedah Bulldogs gradually improved. 2009 again saw the Dogs take part in the Finals, only to be bundled out in the Semi-Finals by a rampaging Swans outfit.
2010 saw a very even competition with Inverell as a clear standout. Gunnedah defeated all other teams during the season, but were unable to reach the Finals, falling one game short in the end.
