Gunnedah’s men’s and women’s Australian Rules football teams are ready to start their AFL North West (NSW) season this Saturday, with both teams opposing the New England Nomads at the Armidale-based Bellevue Oval.
Gunnedah had the bye in round one last Saturday, while the Nomads men had an 11.8.74 to 6.7.43 loss to the Tamworth Kangaroos on Armidale turf.
With the Gunnedah Bulldogs having finished last while the Nomads finished second-last on the five-team men’s ladder last year, Bulldogs player-coach Jakob Vearing said there would be changes to the game plan this year.
“Due to an inexperienced list (last year) we adopted a conservative game plan, which stunts development in the long term,” he said.
“This year we are opting for a more risk taking and aggressive play style.
“There’ll be greater growing pains and many mistakes but more growth opportunity for young players.”
Vearing said for the Bulldogs to improve, they were “looking to capitalise on transition football”.
“Learning to switch to defence in a whole team effort to shut down the opposition’s attack and punish their mistakes,” he said.
“If we can see our attackers defending and our defenders attacking, it will make other teams more accountable.”
Vearing said he would’ve liked to see more players at pre-season training, but that “we are still above historical numbers”.
“As far as playing numbers, currently I’m well above previous years with a squad exceeding 30 players (which is) massive growth from a few years ago,” he said.
While the Bulldogs have lost Malcolm Roberts, Peter McCormack, Alasdair Hewitt, Ben Neale and Michael Etheridge from the playing list, several others have come on board.
Former Melbourne-based player Anthony Dyck is set to lace on the boots and step into a leadership role, while former Parramatta Goannas player Grant Clarke is also set to bring a wealth of experience and some silky skills.
Vearing said Nash Carlyon “will debut as an exciting young talent”, while former rugby league player Keaton Walters was another youngster who had come on board.
Another player with rugby league experience, Marcus Hayne, is also set to line up in Vearing’s team.
Hayne, who played at halfback for the Gunnedah rugby league team in its Group 4 grand final loss to Moree last year, had previously turned out for the Tamworth Swans in Australian Rules football.
“We have a strong list now,” Vearing said.
“I’m hoping by mid-season to hit a groove and really take the league by surprise.
“(I’m) very excited for the season ahead.”
Vearing said he also expected significant growth from the Nomads, who “already developed a strong foundation in their return to the league”.
“The grapevine has told me they have deepened their local numbers and have had a good intake from the uni,” he said.
“They will be a challenge.”
Meanwhile the Gunnedah Poochettes women and Nomads women are both making their first appearance of the season this Saturday, after the Nomads were unable to field a team last weekend due to university holidays.
With Laura Ewington the new captain of the Poochettes, coach John Woolaston said he would go through the game plan this week and continue to sort through player positions.
The Poochettes are likely to be well below full strength this Saturday with Audrey Hannaford, Casey O’Connell and Beccy Wilson having other commitments, after O’Connell took a break from the sport last year.
Corinne Wise is set to make her Poochettes debut this Saturday, with Woolaston saying she would likely play on a flank after making a good impression at training.
