GUNNEDAH are heading to Narrabri full of confidence for tomorrow’s Group 4 minor semi-final against old foes Narrabri after naming one of their strongest sides this season.
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The match will see two inspirational captain-coaches go head to head, with Trent Hilton and Lachie Cameron both stepping up this season and leading their respective sides from the front.
Hilton has done it tough after a pectoral injury at the Northern Championships had him on the sideline for two months alongside several other Bulldogs, although the injury crisis did shine a light on the depth of talent through the junior ranks, according to co-coach Wayne Griffiths.
“Trent has done a fantastic job with the young blokes this year,” Griffiths said.
“He is the difference between a good coach and a really involved coach.
“The young blokes want to play for him.”
Griffiths believes there is no better back-row combination in Group 4 than Hilton and Danny Read.
Read joined from Orange this season and has been as inspirational as the skipper on the field.
“Our strength is our forwards and we have to play to that,” Griffiths said.
“Really, really simple footy can win finals.”
The Bulldogs have had a good week at training following a heavy loss to North Tamworth last week.
Up to seven regular first graders were rested for that match and will return to the side this week, boosting all aspects but especially defence.
“We have got to win on the back of our defence,” Griffiths said.
“You can’t try to outscore teams in Group 4, you just have to limit them and not let them get on a roll. Frustrate them out of it.”
The Blues won the first two meetings this year, one a remarkable comeback, although the Bulldogs are taking plenty of confidence out of a two-point victory the last time they met.
“We didn’t have Trent (Hilton) that day and lost Danny (Read) after five minutes and still got on top of them,” Griffiths said.
“If we can get through Sunday I think we can go all the way.”
Halves DJ Smith and Shannon Swan have been instrumental in Gunnedah’s strong finish to the year and, with the likes of Aaron Donnelly outside them, will be hard to stop if they get enough ball.
“If we hold the majority of possession we won’t get beaten,” Griffiths said.
The big day of action will begin at 10.30am, with the Bulldogs ladies taking on West Lions, before the Diggers U18s also take on Wests, and then Diggers will meet the home side in reserve grade before first grade at 2.40pm.
