NORTHS BULLDOGS 2015 MID SEASON REPORT CARD

Tim Calvaresi
Jun 14, 2015
4 min read

NORTHS BULLDOGS 2015 MID SEASON REPORT CARD

As we hit the halfway point of our season, it's time for an update on just where we stand. Season 2015 has started & progressed in much the same fashion as last year, the Norths Bulldogs remain Undefeated after 7 rounds of Rugby League & also after facing each opponent in the competition. An unreal result, but not an unbelievable one, given the player retention from season 2014, our new additions for this year & the level of commitment shown by the playing group & coaching staff.

On player retention, some players from Season 2014 have really stepped up their game. This includes Tyson James who this season has been playing the Kennel down! His performances have earned him the starting jersey in the heavily contested Prop position. Tyson has really put in the hard yards & isn't it paying off, having received plenty of Players Player awards & points from the playing group. For someone who has only just came to the game of Rugby League it really is great to see him doing so well in the Sky Blue, Red & White! Another player from 2014 who has really grabbed his opportunities with both hands is Logan McGlinchy, with the injury to Tommy Forrest, Logan has relished the chance to play the back-up hooker roll for our Captain Coach Ellis Hurworth. With Ellis missing during our Round 7 encounter with the 2nd placed Wests Red Devils, Logan put on a great display that earned him the Players Player award, in what was a tough & gruelling match.

Our new additions have had a big impact on the team also, with a few ex-players returning to the Kennel, there has been a real standout returning player. Jackson Field has just came from nowhere! Jackson has also grabbed a starting jersey & has been playing a great power game in the back row with nifty foot work & a want to win. It's been said he's now the favourite child in the Field household, but Leon Field who is the Father of both Ben & Jackson wouldn't be drawn in to comment.

Enough of the individuals...except for one more...Ellis Hurworth, he has done a fantastic job once again & has shown he has what it takes to not only gel good players, but grow great players. Which is a trait many coaches strive for & one Ellis has proven he is capable of early in his coaching career. As a Club we could not be any more impressed with our Coach, his desire to not only win, but to ensure our Club has a long term plan is a real credit to him. He doesn't just focus on the now, but is always looking forward.

Round 7 saw our boys go to battle against Wests in what was a tough encounter, made even harder given the absence of some key personnel. Ellis, Nathan Potter & Ric Patterson were away on a surfing trip & injuries to Todd Gripton & Colin Renton, gave a chance to the rest of the playing group to stand tall & really show the depth that we have in the Kennel. And the boys did a solid job, led around the park by the trusted Jarryd Ward the boys dug deep & put in a proud Bulldog performance. The game was not without incident & again tested the depth even further with a crushing shoulder injury to Shane Grose who had to go to hospital for treatment for a separated shoulder. A cameo game from Shaun Helt was cut short when he suffered a heavy cork & niggling injuries carried into the game by Ryan Gillroy & Andrew Stephens really left us short. But with all the reshuffles over reshuffles the group, they stuck together & came home with the chocolates!

So now looking forward, we still have improvement, which sounds like a cliché but is true. As we found out last season, going through the season proper undefeated means nothing come finals time. If we don't identify areas of improvement & change gears it will end up much the same. There is a whole lot of improvement left in our boys & that excites us, that is the focus & the mantra. There will be no resting on our laurels or waiting for it to find us, we are going to find it & grab it! So the halfway point for us marks the next phase in the season, the next gear change, which is unfortunate for our opponents as the Norths Boys won't be waiting for them, we will be going after them.

Next Saturday will see us play Avondale at Reed Park Dapto - 3pm. Would be great to see you all down there cheering the boys on. Our next home game is Friday Night v Wests, this will be a cracking match up of the top 2 teams. Hope to see a massive crowd at the beloved Jim Allen Oval! Home of the greatest little Club in the North!

A big thankyou to our Sponsors - We really appreciate your support in Season 2015. Coledale RSL our Major Sponsor, Dignam Real Estate, The Beaches Hotel, Heathcote Hotel, DEC Workforce, Solid Built Constructions, Bai Med Physiotherapy, Scarborough Upholstery, Ruby's Cafe & TLE Electrical. Please support those who support us!