The AFL North West NSW defending premiers started their 2017 campaign with a solid 59-point opening round win against Gunnedah Bulldogs at Bellevue Oval on Saturday.

The Nomads skipped out to a 23-point lead at quarter-time and never looked back, sealing a 16.11 (107) to 7.6 (48) triumph.

Despite the loss of marquee forwards Jed Ellis-Cluff and Zac Economou during the pre-season, New England found enough avenues to goal as nine different players slotted majors.

James Treweeke snagged four goals, while David Richards and Clarence Barker each collected three.

Barker and Treweeke headlined the best for the Nomads, with Steven Wilson, Richards and Luke Raymond all notable contributors.

Gunnedah’s best period of the match came in the third term, but the Bulldogs could not maintain that level of play for all four quarters.

Former QAFL player Jacob Spackman showed some good signs in his debut appearance and was the lone multiple goalscorer for Gunnedah with two.

Ryan Cooper battled hard throughout, with Spackman, Ben Maher and Brad Jenkinson featuring in the Bulldogs’ best.

Narrabri could be in for brighter fortunes this campaign after steamrolling Tamworth Swans by 86 points at Leitch Oval.

The Eagles led at every change on the way to the 19.13 (127) to 6.5 (41) victory.

Giant ruckman Andrew Weymer provided the home side with first use of the football throughout and prime movers such as Ray Nixon and Todd Jones knocked up winning possessions.

Narrabri key forward Todd Fagan booted nine goals and the influential Todd Dunn proved a good foil, slotting four majors.

Eagles key defender Ben Maddern also starred.

Despite the defeat, Swans coach James Dunston took some positives from the performance, notably the contribution of new faces to the cause.

“Alex Stuart, young Ryan Thompson, Julian Jasper, Cameron Sing and Sam Spokes played out of their skin, and looked every bit AFL footballers,” Dunston said.

“We’re probably missing half a dozen of our best players, but the young fellas did everything they were asked and credit to Narrabri because they played well.”

Despite being undermanned, Inverell opened its campaign with a hard-fought 29-point away win against Moree at Taylor Oval.

The Saints prevailed 13.13 (91) to 9.8 (62), though individual details were not available.

Tamworth Kangaroos had the bye in round one.