![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Proof-MREC-Cocoandsaiweb.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMackay received a four-week ban while Taylor was outed for three weeks, with Taylor set to challenge the severity of his suspension in a bid to play this Saturday.<\/p>\n
Moree jumped to a 14-0 lead before Gunnedah\u2019s McKye Tucknott scored a converted try, and then the Boars scored their fourth try although poor goal-kicking restricted the margin to two converted tries at half-time.<\/p>\n
Kaedyn Smith\u2019s third try extended the gap to 18 points, before Max Turner scored for Gunnedah.<\/p>\n
A penalty goal gave the Boars a 26-12 advantage, but Gunnedah came roaring back with tries to Aidan Davis and Dylan Lake to set up a thrilling final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
Moree\u2019s Sam Sadler scored his second try, before Sunia Naruma kept Gunnedah\u2019s flickering hopes alive with a try in the final five minutes.<\/p>\n
The Boars held on, with anxiety turning to relief for the hosts while the visitors rued their wayward performance.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs coach Sean Hayne cited the period between the 10th and 30th minute, saying \u201cwe were just poor fundamentally\u201d while the Bulldogs \u201cdidn\u2019t get off the line quick enough\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe let them get a roll-on, and they controlled the ruck speed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t compete like we should have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hayne said the Bulldogs needed to turn up with the right attitude this Saturday, and \u201cneed to win every play\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t give a team like Moree as much ball as we did, and expect to come out on top,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While a home grand final slipped from his team\u2019s grasp, Hayne said the hunger was still there to reach the decider.<\/p>\n
Hayne said \u201cno-one plays to come second\u201d, while it was a waste of the whole year if the team didn\u2019t reach the grand final.<\/p>\n
Hayne said the focus had to be on this Saturday\u2019s fixture, not Moree, \u201cbecause if we don\u2019t win this weekend, we\u2019re not going there\u201d.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Gunnedah\u2019s U18s bowed out with a 26-22 loss to North Tamworth in extra time.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs teens scored five tries to four in regulation time but faltered in the goal-kicking department, before Norths scored the winning try.<\/p>\n