Kyra Carlyon's introduction to AFL wasn't a smooth one.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Early on in that match against the Tamworth Swans last year, the 21-year-old broke her thumb.
Her thumb was hurting but Carlyon played out the game. She thought: "Surely I didn't do anything bad to it."
An x-ray three days later confirmed the break but the injury didn't break her connection to the Bulldogs.
"Having that time off - it did suck - but it also made me like the game a lot more," the forward said.
"I was able to watch more and also grow with the team even though I wasn't playing all those weeks. The club was just amazing and I couldn't imagine not going back."
The 21-year-old racked up a couple more games last year before putting in a stack of off-season work to prepare for 2021, coach Sam Proudfoot said.
With a background in tennis, the Poochette has really enjoyed the team aspect of her new sport.
"I've loved meeting new people," she said.
"I wouldn't have met all these people if it wasn't for the sport or the club so I'm very grateful."
READ ALSO:
The Poochettes have also sewn up the minor premiership and a home semi-final thanks to their undefeated run in 2021.
"As a team, it's been a goal of ours to just keep going on from last season," Carlyon said in reference of the 2020 premiership win.
"We've really been trying to work as hard as we can and everyone's been putting in 110 per cent, so to come away with that [minor premiership] is a win for us."
Despite being undefeated, Gunnedah has been pushed the last three rounds by Inverell and the two Tamworth teams.
On the back of that, the Poochettes have continued to work on their game.
"I think it's really shown us how well the other teams have progressed through the season," she said of the last few rounds.
"We've been progressing, too, but those teams have shown us they've been working hard and getting better with their skills in all aspects of the game."
The Bulldogs host Moree this weekend.