An understrength Gunnedah Bulldogs went within a whisker of "winning" their first trial of their 2019 Group 4 season, in Port Macquarie on Saturday.
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The John Hickey-coached Bulldogs "lost" the trial four tries to three when the home side took an intercept late in the game. No goals were taken so players had a better hitout, Hickey said.
Hickey added: "I was very happy with their effort, especially their defence.
"I was talking to Phil Sigsworth (the co-coach of Port) after the game and he said all we needed was a bit of fitness because it was obvious we had the skills.
"That was good feedback from a bloke who played State Of Origin."
Hickey singled out for praise Reece Jaeger, who he said "directed the game at five-eighth".
He added: "I thought our hooker Zac Turnbull went really well and the two Fordham boys, Connor and Dawson, also played well.
"I was very happy with those three kids coming up from the under-18s too, they stepped up.
"Rory Harding (prop) also played strongly. I made him captain for the day and he led well too, both him and Lincon Smith were good in the middle."
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Another player who also caught Hickey's eye was the versatile Jimmy Pascoe. He filled in at fullback, displaying sage hands and scoring a try.
"Jimmy has played everywhere on the park, bar prop, for Gunnedah, I think," Hickey said. "I asked him after the game, and he said he'd play prop, too, if it meant he played first grade.
"He also made some great tackles, tackling one of the Port players over the line, stealing the ball and scoring a try."
Gunnedah's next trial is at home to Dubbo Macquarie in three weeks' time. The match is for the Steve "Tractor" Rennick Cup.
