Todd Bridge, who is coach of this season's first grade side said this as the Bulls prepare to play their final game of the season on Sunday against minor premiers, Macleay Valley at the Jack Neal Oval.

By any measure this has been a nightmare year for the club. The Bulls couldn't field an under 18s and at one stage it looked as though they'd only have one senior side, before there was a late rush of signings following the appointment of Shane Glass as reserve grade coach. Then the Bulls had to look around for a new training track when Taree Recreation Centre was ruled out due to the deterioration of fields.

Despite this the Bulls made a promising start to the season, winning two of the opening four games to look a genuine final five contender. From there it was all downhill and Taree will finish last in first and reserve grades.

Last weekend the Bulls lost first grade 74-6 and reserve grade 86-0 to Port City.

"It's been a struggle all year,'' Bridge, who was in his debut season as a first grade coach, admitted.

"I take it as a reflection on myself and I'm pretty disillusioned. The club's has gone backwards this year.''

He's already told the club he won't be nominating for the position in 2020.

"The club has to go outside the area and look for a captain-coach,'' he stressed.

"We need an experienced captain-coach and three or four new players - preferably outside backs. But I know there's a problem with the lack of employment around here.''

As is often the case the Bulls were hit by injuries in a year where they could least afford them. Bridge only lasted a handful of games before succumbing to troublesome knees; prop Josh Northam broke a bone in his foot then ruptured his Achilles tendon; halfback Dean Mills was sidelined with a shoulder injury as was fullback/five-eighth Jake Lauder; hooker Oscar Carey and second rower Will Clarke battled a knee problems. These players would have been the nucleus of the first grade team.

"Injuries are the main reason whey we're not playing finals footy,'' Bridge said.

"With our top 17 on the field I know we would have been competitive. But I don't think we had the same side in first grade for two weeks in a row.''

However, Bridge said there was a lack of resilience when the going became difficult.

He said getting an under 18s in 2020 was also a must.

"If we don't have 18s we might as well not have a club,'' he maintained.

Related:

"Under 18s bring enthusiasm into the club. They turn up to training every night and they just want to play football.''

Bridge was still eligible for under 18s when he was a member of Taree City's premiership winning first grade team in 2007. This was the club's last first grade success.

Bridge was diplomatic when asked who he thought would win the premiership, with the semi-finals starting next weekend.

"I hope it's between Wingham and Forster,'' he said.

"They're the southern clubs and I work at Forster. But Macleay's so unpredictable and they're going to be hard.''