Cygan 'pretty impressed' with Gunnedah FC grit in opening losses

Due to a dip in numbers, Gunnedah's First and Reserve Grade sides were forced to call up a number of junior players for the first round.

Subsequently, Cygan expects the club to enter a rebuilding phase in 2022.

"This is rebuilding the club, really," Cygan said.

"I lost three of my players to Moore Creek in the off-season, which really affected us ... to lose three of your best four or five players is a massive loss.

"It'll be a year of getting back into it, this year."

Given the number of junior players on the field for Gunnedah last weekend, including three female players in their Reserve Grade team, onlookers could not be blamed for expecting both sides to suffer heavy defeats against formidable Inverell FC lineups.

However, Gunnedah's First Grade side lost a narrow, scrappy game 2-1, and Reserve Grade's margin was only slightly wider at 3-1.

"We weren't sure what we were going to get with Inverell, but they were really strong," Cygan said.

"I think they'll be thereabouts at the end of the season. Despite losing both games, we took a lot of positives out of it.

"It was pretty even ... I was impressed."

Although Cygan is prepared to endure a tough season, with only six teams in the First Grade competition, he still believes Gunnedah is capable of qualifying for finals.

"It's only a six team competition, and the top four make finals, so we'd have to be pushing for top four," he said.

"By the time we've finished a full round of games, we'll have some idea of where we stand. But I think we'll definitely push for finals in First Grade, For Reserves, I don't want to see us getting flogged, and I hope we play well enough that we encourage these young guys and girls to stay and play."

Gunnedah will play Wee Waa United this Saturday in both grades at Cook Oval. The Reserve Grade clash will take place first at 1pm, with First Grade set to follow at 3pm.

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