Old Dogs day brings out the best of the Bulldogs

Old Dogs Day brought the best out of the Gunnedah & District AFC, registering wins in both their women’s and men’s round seven AFL North West matches in front of former players, administrators and volunteers of the past 47 years involved with the club at Wolseley Oval last Saturday.

On a historic day, club legend Brian Lenton was presented with a special gift of a signed Dustin Martin Richmond guernsey that was supplied by Richmond listed AFL player Sam Naismith.

Presenting the jersey to Lenton was Naismith’s mother Debbie and on the back of the emotion charged events, the Poochettes ran away dominant 91-point victors at 98-7, whilst a slightly scrappier affair was on show during the men’s fixture as they defied a strong zephyr to culminate two wins for the club through their narrow 13-point 55-42 victory.

Poochettes Coach John Woolaston continues to move magnets for his side, again exemplified by multiple goal kickers on the day.

Impressively, winger and small half forward Breanna Ward was the major contributor with four majors, ably assisted by other multiple goal kickers in Amelia Woolaston with 3, teenager Macey Carlyon and Braie Devine slotting two 2 each as well as captain Katrina Rekunow and Kelly Ewington hitting the scoreboard with majors.

In the men’s fixture, it was a tight tussle that ebbed and flowed throughout the match but the Bulldogs managed to keep their noses in front at every interval and further more the entirety of and by their match’s end.

In a low scoring affair, the Bulldogs defence held sway against a fast finishing Kangaroos outfit who had the wind at their back in the last term but couldn’t put scoreboard pressure on the Bulldogs thanks largely in part to the efforts of Zeb Dillon, Beau Herbert and Alisdair Hewitt.

Conversely, the Bulldogs in their limited opportunities made the scoreboard tick over in their favour, with legend Mark Ewington kicking a crucial major in the last term, as well as Liam Herbert kicking a match defining major that ultimately sealed victory for the Bulldogs.

Centre half forward Travis Oakley kicked 3 majors for the side on the day and was the difference in front of goal between the two sides, whilst Herbert was the only other multiple goal kicker with 2 combining with Jakob Vearing and Ewington with one apiece.

It was, however, a historic occasion for the Bulldogs club which finally had the chance to acknowledge club stalwart and pioneer of the club Brian Lenton through a special presentation that took place at the conclusion of the women’s fixture and before the start of the men’s.

Lenton, a die-hard Richmond supporter, was presented with a personally signed Tigers replica playing jersey that entailed the prized signature on the front and back of the jersey from three time premiership player, three time AFL Grand Final and Norm Smith medallist of those premierships and future AFL hall of famer – of which he is destined to also be elevated to legend status – Dustin Martin.

In conglomeration with this, Lenton’s former Bulldogs playing jersey of number 20 was retired by the club in honour of Lenton, where it’s deemed by the club as an extension of the fact that Lenton is irreplaceable amongst AFL contemporaries within Gunnedah and the AFL North West region’s community.

Ever humble, Lenton credited his achievements towards those who helped him start the club 47 years ago in 1977 and to those who are and have been present along the way.

“It’s great to see players back to celebrate premierships from the 70s, 80s and 90s, who evidently helped form the club to begin with.

“I didn’t do it on my own and whilst I take any acknowledgement with great pride, I didn’t do it on my own.

“We play for premierships but we also play for days like today, from people my age (those from the 70s and 80s) to those who are in their mid 30s who are former Dogs and premiership players, it’s all worth it.

On receiving his honour into the AFLNSW Hall of Fame, Lenton was quick to acknowledge the club for putting his name forward.

“I’d like to thank the club for putting me forward, and in particular the work that president at the time Hamish Russell did.

“I don’t know if I necessarily deserve it but at the same time, I’m so thankful that the club thought of me in that regard.

“I never sought it out or thought I was worthy, but it’s so humbling and I’m so grateful for the amazing people who have been involved in the club throughout our history,” a humble Lenton reiterated.