Cootamunda’s best and fairest winner from last season, Matt Forsyth, has re-signed for another year.
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A Bulldog since he was five, moving away from the club was never considered.
He’s looking forward what 2018 can hold
“I’ve always been a Bulldog,” Forsyth said.
“It should be good next year after the last two years when we’ve been struggling for numbers.”
The 25-year-old was the leading light during another tough season for the Bulldogs.
He scored 13 tries to find himself in the top 10 across the competition.
Showing his dominance, the next best Bulldogs were Jason Cronin on five and then James Smith (four).
His tryscoring efforts were helped by the move to the centres.
He’s mostly played in the halves throughout his career, but has been just as effective wider out.
Forsyth is more than happy to play wherever the team needs him the most.
“I’ve played halfback my whole life but the year before last I went out into the centres,” he said.
“It has been good there.”
With Glen Buttriss returning home to coach this season, Forsyth believes there is plenty of things to be excited about in 2018.
It has been a tough two years for the club, he the 25-year-old hopes things are on the up with former Canberra Raiders hooker at the helm.
“It brings a lot more players that we haven’t had in the past,” Forsyth said.
“With a few of the boys who left coming back it should be good.”
Cootamundra finished ninth in 2016, after a mass player exodus, but still remained competitive under Simon Vanzanten.
However when the club couldn’t agree on the timeline to re-sign him he walked away.
Warren Lloyd then took over the coaching role in 2017 before a ruptured pectoral tendon pretty much ruined his season as the club finished with the wooden spoon.
The Englishman is set to decide on his future but has suggested if he was going to play on it would be with the Bulldogs.
There are plenty of rumours swirling around on other new players following the return of Chris Maher and Haydn Cowled.
They include a former Mounties teammate of Buttriss, his brother Dave and recruits from Group 20.
Buttriss said nothing was locked in just yet but he was working on reuniting with his brother.
“We haven’t finalised it yet but we have been talking,” Buttriss said.
“I just haven’t got him yet.”
Dave Buttriss, a second rower or lock, returned to the Bulldogs in 2015 following time in Sawtell where he won two premiership with Sawtell (2009-2011), and also dual player of the year awards.
He was also part of the last Bulldogs triumph in 2005.