Youth and experience to lead Gunnedah Bulldogs

Gunnedah Bulldogs have named a strong squad for Saturday’s opening round of the Group 4 2022 season – a squad rife with experience and youth.

The Bulldogs will host Werris Creek at Kitchener Park for what is their Ladies’ Day.

There will, however, be no ‘beg pardons’ and niceties on show for the Maggies.

The Bulldogs have beefed up their pack and will be ready to hammer Werris Creek on a day scheduled to start at noon with the Ladies’ League Tag game.

Gunnedah coach Mick Schmiedel is eagerly awaiting the opening game and is easily the first coach to name his starting lineup following some good trials.

In one of those trials young winger Jared Heinrich excelled in one brilliant effort.

“A Singleton winger took an intercept and had 30m head start on Jared,” Schmiedel said.

“Jared ran him down 20m from the tryline and saved the try.”

It was a ‘one percenter’ that struck a chord with Schmiedel and earned Heinrich a starting spot on the wing.

The return of Trent Hilton is also a bonus for the Bulldogs. He joins KC Edmonds in the backrow with Matt Baker and Lincon Smith the starting props.

It’s a big, mobile pack with hooker Nick White and lock Liam Ireland.

White debuted in the halves last season while Ireland played wing and hooker, to show how versatile they are.

Another young Bulldog, Aiden Davis, was a lock or middle forward last season but has been moved to five-eighth.

Schmiedel hopes Davis will either ‘tip it on’ to the likes of Edmonds and Baker ‘or run it’.

“We’re like every club,” Schmiedel said.

“We want to make the semis. I will be disappointed if we don’t.”

Werris Creek will settle on its side at Thursday night’s training session.

GUNNEDAH 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.