Paul Boyce: North Tamworth's new coach under 'a lot of pressure'

The Bears' new mentor has the weighty responsibility of keeping alive the side's record sequence of premierships, which stands at six.

Speaking ahead of the undefeated outfit's second match of the season, an away clash against Gunnedah on Saturday, Boyce said that if "we win the comp this year, it's expected: we've won the last six.

"And if we lose it, I'm the bloke that lost the first comp in six years."

Read also:

Unsurprisingly, given the Bears' success since their golden reign commenced in 2014, Boyce said his role came with "a lot of pressure".

However, the Bears reserve-grade coach from last year said he had "really loved" the fact that the side's senior playing group "has really bought in to what I'm trying to do at the club".

He explained: "Sometimes when you're at such a successful football club, that's done such good things over a long period of time, having somebody with new, fresh ideas, you can get a bit of pushback.

"But the senior group have been amazing. [Bears skipper] Scott Blanch has backed me all the way.

"Ben Jarvis, James Cooper, Jake McManus, all those senior blokes have really made the transition for myself a very enjoyable one."

Boyce is acutely aware that "everyone is out to knock us off".

"But I just love the club that much that I'm willing to put everything into it."

He continued: "If we come away with a seventh [ premiership], great. If not, then we'll keep working towards getting that next premiership."

Boyce, 39, runs a mentoring program for Indigenous inmates at the St Heliers Correctional Centre in Muswellbrook.

Norths will travel to Gunnedah without Blanch, Cooper and McManus, who have a prior commitment.

The new-look Bears were sharp in beating Manilla 54-14 in round one, while the Bulldogs were equally impressive in belting Werris Creek 48-16.

The Bears had a bye in the next round, while the Bulldogs lost 36-18 away to Narrabri.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: