The Gunnedah Bulldogs faced a heartbreaking defeat in the Group 4 rugby league grand final, losing to the Moree Boars with a score of 32-16 on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Coach Sean Hayne expressed his disappointment following the match, marking this as the second time he has led the Bulldogs to a grand final loss, with the first occurring in 2018 against North Tamworth.
Hayne’s post-match remarks echoed themes familiar from earlier games throughout the season. “We let ourselves down again,” he stated, emphasizing critical moments when the team failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. He noted, “We didn’t move off the line at certain stages, we let them get a roll-on, and we had a few opportunities that we didn’t take.”
The Bulldogs struggled against a Moree team that was able to convert chances into points effectively. Hayne acknowledged their superior performance, saying, “They were way better than us today. They took their opportunities, they defended well, and kept turning us back. They were by far the better team.”
Despite the disappointment, Hayne praised the Bulldogs for their effort, though he lamented, “the execution wasn’t there.” He pointed out that allowing good teams too much possession often leads to unfavorable outcomes. “You can’t give good teams that much ball and expect to be in the game,” he said. “Today they took advantage of the majority of their chances.”
Reflecting on the season, Hayne noted that reaching the grand final after missing the playoffs last year offered little consolation. “No one plays to finish second,” he asserted. “I’d count it as a disappointing year. In some respects, I’d rather not play in a grand final than be there and lose it. It was just a very disappointing way to finish the year.”
Looking ahead, Hayne remarked that while the Bulldogs had a chance to clinch victory, they ultimately fell short. “Next year you start from scratch again,” he said, revealing he had not yet decided on his future coaching plans.
As the Bulldogs regroup for the upcoming season, the loss serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes in competitive sport and the relentless drive for improvement.
