Gunnedah Rugby League Football Club has broken an almost 30-year premiership drought to reclaim the Group 4 first grade title.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
In front of a home crowd at Kitchener Park, the Bulldogs were a dominant force throughout Saturday’s clash with the Moree Boars to win their eighth premiership and the first since 1998.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
It was firmly the ‘Dogs’ Day’ after they earlier claimed the women’s tackle grand final.
Kurt Fisher opened the Bulldogs’ scorecard early in the first half for first grade, sprinting down the field for a try.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
Clay Durrant was successful with a conversion.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
That early scoring set the stage for the electric atmosphere throughout the clash.
Almost seven minutes later, Durrant would add to the board with another try which was followed by a Sam Taylor conversion.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
A Dylan Lake try, followed by a Taylor conversion, with just minutes left in the first stanza gave the Bulldogs a strong 18-0 lead into the half-time break.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
The Bulldogs’ dominance continued with Aidan Davis the first of the try scorers in the second half.
Taylor was again successful with a conversion, with the gap widening to 24-0.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
The Bulldogs’ best was still to come, with a sensational Fisher try in the corner at the Conadilly Street end.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
With 26 minutes left on the clock, it was already becoming apparent that the Dogs would claim a great rugby double as they took a strong 28-0 lead.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
The Boars finally hit the board with their first try, through Cameron Rogers, with 19 minutes to go.
Adrian Smith was successful with his conversion, however, the Bulldogs still commanded a strong 28-6 lead.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
Jake Tighe had a long run down the field with a 100-metre try, followed by a conversion by Smith.
Just four minutes remained on the clock, with the Dogs still leading 28-12.
Geneva Fuller in action. Photo: Tom Pattison/Pattison Photography
Attempts by the Boars to drive the ball forward were thwarted by the Bulldogs.
The Boars did the same and restricted the Bulldogs from further scoring.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
As the siren sounded on the 28-12 scoreboard, the Gunnedah crowd raced on to Kitchener Park to celebrate the Bulldogs’ return to first grade glory after 28 years.
Nautica Eather takes control of the ball. Photo: Tom Pattison/Pattison Photography
The moment was made more special given the Bulldogs reversed the result from last year’s grand final where they lost by 16 points to the Boars at Boughton Oval in Moree.
Bec Baker charges ahead with the ball. Photo: Tom Pattison/Pattison Photography
Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, and the Dogs would claim top honours with a 16-point margin in front of a jubilant home crowd at Kitchener Park.
Nautica Eather takes control of the ball.
Earlier in the day, the Gunnedah crowd had also celebrated the women’s success.
Ebonee Ison was the first of the try scorers in the early minutes of the clash with the Boars.
The Gunnedah Bulldogs women’s tackle team claimed the Group 4 premiership with a thrilling win against Moree. Photo: Tom Pattison/Pattison Photography
Moree would return fire almost five minutes later, with the two teams tied at 4-4.
Cassidy Morley stormed down the field in sensational style to claim the Bulldogs’ second try for the day.
Bec Baker and Nautica Eather celebrate at the presentation ceremony. Photo: Tom Pattison/Pattison Photography
The Bulldogs had a 8-4 lead at the half-time break.
Ebonee Ison was the first to score in Saturday’s grand final clash with Moree. Photo: Tom Pattison/Pattison Photography
Almost three minutes in to the second half, the Boars hit the board with another try which was followed by a conversion.
The Boars took the lead 10-8.
Post-grand final celebrations at Kitchener Park were captured by Phillipa Henry.
With six minutes to go, Bec Baker quickly took possession of the ball and touched for a try which was followed by a Cassidy Morley conversion.
The Bulldogs returned to the lead, 14-10, the final score for the day.
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