The Bears have finished runner-up to the Oxley Diggers in the last two grand finals, as well as the last two Wests Knockouts, with most games decided by less than a try.

Last Saturday in a trial the girls suffered their first defeat to a revamped Gunnedah in two years, although coach Kieran Fisher believes  the Bears will be thereabouts again once the season gets underway next weekend.

The Bears went down three tries to one to the Bulldogs, although have still got a few players to come back into the side, as well as the new girls finding their feet.

“We have got a lot of motivation after the last two seasons and plenty of new faces,” Fisher said.

“Some of the new girls are new to the game and some have come from oztag or touch but we are coming together.” 

Jessie Brown, Belinda Clegg and Sammy Bowen showed their experience in the trial  and are expected to lead the young side from the front, as well as young guns Paris Knox and Taylor Holcombe who also stood out.

A big blow to the club is the loss of playmaker, skipper and last season’s Group 4 best and fairest and top point scorer Leica LeBrocq for an undetermined period of time with a knee injury.

“It could be a few weeks or it could be the season,” Fisher said. “She makes a big difference to the team.” 

LeBrocq was on the sideline shouting orders but it wasn’t enough as the young Bulldogs side showed plenty of ball- playing skill and pace to knock the Bears off on a special day for the side as they remembered Alex Costello who had a fatal heart attack last weekend. His wife Emma is a Bulldogs league tag regular, along with a few other family members.

Club president Ray McCoy said it was a great win on a special day for the girls.

The Bulldogs will get to really test where they are at when they open their season with a game against the premiers in the opening round at Scully Park next Sunday, while Norths will host Narrabri and Armidale will host West Tamworth.