After not participating in the competition last year, the Magpies soared to a 38-8 first round win over Gunnedah to show they are going to be strong contenders.

Magpies skipper Anna Smith said it was a really strong performance from the side, the win coming somewhat as a bit of a surprise.

"It was credit to the girls. Everything we've been training for in the last four weeks we came out and we did.

"It's been hard but the girls have totally enjoyed it and that was a really unexpected win because Gunnedah are a really good side," she said.

Only about four of the 14 that suited up on Saturday had played tackle league before.

"The girls have just put their hands up and said yeah we'll give it a go and as you can see today it was obviously unreal, they stepped up above and beyond and I couldn't be prouder of them," Smith said.

She led them well around the field and finished with a hat-trick after crossing for their opening two tries.

Tobi-Lee Clough, Jessica Baker, Faith Howarth, Tanika Darcy and Alma Saunders also found the tryline as the Magpies ran away with it in the second half after the Bulldogs had scored two late tries to trail by only two points at half time.

"We got a taste of real tackle footy instead of the league tag and the girls got a bit weary," Smith said.

"But at half-time the coaches just said look obviously it's going to catch up with you later in the half the tackling and stuff, it's different to league tag, so just try and conserve your energy. Just get back, try and settle yourself down, get forwards going forward again and you should come over the top."

READ ALSO:

"That's what we did in the second half and it paid off for us."

One of the things that really stood out was the Magpies' defence. Impressively for players not accustomed to tackling there was a real sting in their defence.

It's something coaches - first grade star Cody Tickle and reserve grade player-coach Chris Wilson - had been working hard with them on, and they were suitably impressed.

"Their defence was insane," Tickle said.

He said he was "really proud of them".

As was Bulldogs coach Bobby Price of what was a brave effort from his side.

They travelled over with only 10 and finished the game with no subs.

"With 10 players, one sub, it's pretty hard for anyone. Even first grade footballers find it hard," he said.

"All the girls had a really good game today and dug in for the 30 minutes."

It was for around half the Bulldogs their first experience of tackle league, and he said they will take a lot away from Saturday.

"To actually play a game, and to lose a game we can actually go back and work on the little things we did wrong, like stopping the ball with our feet - we had a few knock-ons from the kick-off, and just working together in tackles," Price said.