The great minds that will be pulling the strings at the Bulldogs in 2026. Jamin Hall, Luke Berkrey and David Buttriss.
The final siren at Geohex Stadium felt less like a cheer and more like a sigh. For the Cootamundra Bulldogs, it was the sound of a successful season coming to an end. The scoreboard told a lopsided story, 36 to 6, a decisive victory for the Southcity Bulls, a team that had become a familiar and formidable rival. But for the Bulldogs, this single loss couldn’t overshadow the remarkable journey they had taken. This was more than just a game; it was the final chapter of their first season back in Group 9 after a six-year hiatus. It had been a season of redis covery and defiance.
A few months ago, few would have predicted the Bulldogs would even be competitive, let alone a threat. Yet, they had proven their critics wrong, one bruising tackle and one hard-won victory at a time. The highlight had been their earlier-season triumph over this very same Southcity team—a statement win that echoed across the league. They hadn’t just beaten them; they had shown they belonged. They had also twice gotten the better of Wagga Brothers, another Group 9 stalwart, and had come heartbreakingly close against powerhouses like Young and Gundagai.
This wasn’t a team just happy to be back; it was a team that had come to compete. For two weeks, they had even held the coveted Group 9 Challenge Cup, a testament to their grit and determination. They had given it their all, and it showed.
The Bulldogs’ solitary try was a moment of brilliance that pierced through the Bulls’ dominant performance. It came from the powerful legs of Ui Leitutulia, a player whose relentless runs had become a symbol of the Bulldogs’ spirit. He crashed through a wall of Southcity defenders, finding a gap where there seemed to be none. As he grounded the ball, the small contingent of Cootamundra supporters erupted, a brief but fierce surge of pride in the face of defeat. Sam Gash’s subsequent conversion, a perfect strike that split the posts, was a small victory in itself, a final point scored for pride and a glimpse of what could be. But the night belonged to the Bulls. Their tries were a masterclass in attacking rugby. Cleve McGhie was a force of nature, his three tries showcasing a blend of speed, power, and clever positioning that left the Bulldogs’ defence grasping at thin air.
Kyle McCarthy and Klayton Waikato added their own flair, their tries coming from well-executed plays that demonstrated Southcity’s precision and discipline. And then there was Brady Tracey, whose try was a final exclamation point on an already commanding performance. Every one of Southcity’s six tries was followed by the metronomic accuracy of Josh Siegwalt. His kicking was flawless, a perfect six from six conversions that added another twelve points to the Bulls’ tally. With each successful kick, the score widened, and the gap between the two teams felt more and more insurmountable.
As the final whistle blew, there were no tears or shouts of anger from the Bulldogs. Instead, there were handshakes and claps on the back. This wasn’t the end they had hoped for, but it was a respectable end to an unforgettable season. They had faced the best and held their own. They had shown the league that Cootamundra was a force to be reckoned with once again. The future feels brighter than it has in years for the Cootamundra Bulldogs.
The club is already looking ahead to the 2026 season with anticipation. The announcement that Group 9 legend Luke Berkrey will be rejoining his hometown club has sent a wave of excitement through the community. Adding an experienced footballing head like Berkrey to the fold, alongside the likes of Jamin Hall and David Buttriss, promises to elevate the team to a new level. The Bulldogs have laid the groundwork, and now they are ready to build. Their first season back was a success, a statement of intent, and a promise of great things to come. The loss to Southcity was just a temporary setback on the path to a brighter, more dominant future. The Bulldogs are back, and they are here to stay.
– Tully Potts
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.
