Bruising loss for Gunnedah men’s AFL team

An improved showing from the Gunnedah men’s AFL team wasn’t enough to secure a breakthrough victory last Saturday, as the Bulldogs outfit recorded its third loss from as many rounds in the North West competition.

Following defeats by 124 and 78 points at Inverell and Tamworth respectively, the Bulldogs were on home soil at Wolseley Park last Saturday while their opponents were also coming off back-to-back losses.

As it turned out, the New England Nomads broke their duck as they prevailed 11.15.81 to 7.9.51.

The hosts could have produced a better result as they had plenty of chances to score, but too often they were unable to translate pressure into points.

The Nomads were better with support play, and there were times in the first half when the Bulldogs paid dearly for pursuing an opponent instead of the ball.

Gunnedah registered four behinds but only one goal in the first term, while New England landed five goals to set up a 23-point advantage.

The second term was even more disappointing as the hosts kicked 1.3.9 while the visitors kicked 4.4.28 to establish a commanding seven-goal lead.

Gunnedah’s Liam Herbert landed a major in the first minute of the third term, before the Nomads kicked the next six-pointer.

The Bulldogs kicked one more goal in the third term before a long-range goal to the visitors gave them an 11.11.77 to 4.8.32 lead with one quarter remaining.

Gunnedah scored the first 13 points in the final term via two goals and a behind, before New England registered two behinds.

The Bulldogs landed the final goal, with the Nomads finishing the scoring with back-to-back behinds and not landing a major in the final term.

James Walters was New England’s leading goal-kicker with four, while Hunter Greene was next best with three.

Player-coach Jakob Vearing landed three of Gunnedah’s goals while four of his teammates landed one apiece.

Bulldogs captain Darcy Hill was among the best for the Bulldogs, having taken several fine marks while Zeb Dillon, Eamon Martin, Liam Naismith, Liam Herbert and Cody Bros also made a good impression for the beaten team.

The Bulldogs have a bye this weekend before hosting the Tamworth Swans the following Saturday.

RIGHT: Gunnedah’s Eamon Martin is airborne as he takes a mark against the New England Nomads at Wolseley Park.