THE Gunnedah Bulldogs are just one win away from hosting the Group 4 rugby league grand final after building a formidable run of form heading into their major semi-final against Moree.

First grade head into their clash at Moree full of confidence after stringing together seven straight wins, including a convincing 48–12 victory over the Boars when the teams last met in June.

The game will be played at Boughton Oval, where the Boars defeated the Bulldogs in last year’s grand final.

Club president David McCann said Gunnedah’s forwards would need to set the tone early as the Bulldogs chase a chance to host the grand final for the first time since 1995.

“It’s been 31 years since we last played a grand final at home,” McCann said. “It would be fantastic to have it back in Gunnedah.

“When we put it together, we can put points on. We’ve just got to be patient and let it happen instead of trying to chase it.”

“You’ve got to get on top of the forwards. If you don’t make an impact there, your backs are going to struggle to do their stuff.”

The Gunnedah women’s tackle team finished as minor premiers and will play Kootingal-Moonbi in the major semi-final. Photo: Phillipa Henry.

 

McCann believes Gunnedah is better equipped than it was 12 months ago, with the playing group benefiting from another season together.

“There were a lot of new faces in there last year, blokes coming up from the lower grades as well as a couple of new guys that came to town,” he said.

“We’ve seen the benefits of having them together for another 12 months by the way they’ve finished the season.”

The Bulldogs’ women will also have a chance to book their place in the grand final, continuing an important period of growth for the club’s tackle league program.

McCann said the women’s side had embraced the opportunity to compete in a full tackle competition after years of development.

“It’s just great to see the women there. They’re so pumped to be part of tackle league now,” he said.

“They play very well. We’ve got a well-balanced team in the ladies there as well and obviously, they’re still learning a lot. It’s just great to see how much they enjoy it.”

The Bulldogs’ under-18s have also qualified for the finals from third after narrowly missing out on second place on the ladder.

They will face North Tamworth in the minor semi-final at Dungowan Recreation Ground on Sunday, with the major semi-finals to be played on Saturday.

To order photos from this page click here