"He just loves to tackle," Bulldogs player-coach Trent Hilton said. "He tops our tackle count almost every game."

The crafty halfback, who returned to his Gunnedah roots after a stint with the premiership-winning North Tamworth in previous seasons, has taken the Bulldogs side by storm this year.

"It's unreal how he plays, just so competitive," the coach said. "He loves the contest."

Hayne is one of many fresh faces in a Bulldogs side packed with potential.

Five-eight Hayden Smith is another showing plenty of promise for Gunnedah. 

Smith, who is playing his maiden year out of under 18s, scored two and converted all bar one of Gunnedah's eight tries in Sunday's 46-16 hammering of Oxley Diggers at Scully Park.

The Bulldogs meet the luckless Armidale Rams at Kitchener Park on Sunday.

Hilton remained wary of complacency, particularly with finals footy only a few short weeks away, but felt things were finally looking up at the embattled Bulldogs kennel.

"We're in a good spot at the moment," Hilton said. "The vibe around the club is really positive. We're getting good numbers and touch-wood, no big injuries."