Group 4: Bulldogs and Roos to clash in season opener

New Gunnedah coach Mick Schmiedel has named a young side to take the field under captain Reece Jaeger but is confident they will handle their first grade assignments.

"We've got three players making their first grade debuts," Schmiedel said.

"Aiden Davis, Nick White and Cain Eather.

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"It makes it a very young side. Nick and Cain, as well as Liam Ireland (hooker) and Zac Turnbull (second row) are all around 18 or 19 years of age.

"It's all about making them understand the difference between first grade and under-18 football.

"Zac and Liam have played a bit and go well. They are coming along well but it is a steep learning curve and one they have to learn as they go.

"They have all been going along nicely in training and at the trials."

Ireland made his debut in first grade two years ago as a winger but it is at hooker where Schmiedel thinks he will star.

A former attacking hooker himself, Schmiedel sees plenty of potential in the young No 9 and believes he can develop into a major talent.

"He might be the fittest in the club too," he said.

"I expect he might take advantage of the lazy markers at dummy half too."

Schmiedel hasn't been involved in a local derby for "quite a while" but expects a difficult time out at Boggabri.

"I think it's going to be more than competitive, it won't be an easy game for us," he said. "If we can do what we want to do properly then we can win."

GUNNEDAH: 1 Dylan Lake, 2 Kih McDonald, 3 Aaron Donnelly, 4 Cain Eather, 5 TBA, 6 Reece Jaeger (capt), 7 Nick White, 8 Lincon Smith (vc), 9 Liam Ireland, 10 Rory Harding, 11 Zac Turnbull, 12 Hayden Jaeger, 13 KC Edmonds, 14 Aiden Davis, 15 Lachlan King. Coach - Mick Schmiedel.

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