Jordan Bull and Josh Murphy to coach Bathurst Bulldogs women in 2022

Bull already had a long and impressive resume with the Bathurst Bulldogs before he agreed to coach the women - he won premierships as a player and a mentor - yet it was a role which came with pressure.

Bull was taking over the reins from Tuma Aisake, who had guided the Bulldogs women to four consecutive grand final triumphs.

The 2021 unit carved out is own slice of history in claiming a women's minor premiership for the first time, and it was that achievement which ultimately saw them declared Ferguson Cup victors when COVID-19 forced the finals series to be abandoned.

So while it was under Bull's guidance the Bulldogs women extended their streak to five consecutive premierships, that they didn't get a grand final day disappointed the coach. It also helped lure him back.

"I definitely enjoyed it so I thought I'd give it another crack. I was pretty disappointed with the way it sort of ended last season too, not being able to play a grand final, so that's got me keen to go around again," he said.

"We got the trophy, but it doesn't really feel like we got it the correct way I suppose."

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While Bull knew he had inherited a core group of experienced and talented players and had added some promising recruits to the roster as well, he was still surprised by the level of skill he witnessed.

His squad scored 91 tries across their 12 games, produced Central West and NSW Country representatives, and boasted amazing depth.

"The talent in the side was just unbelievable, I was probably not expecting that at the start. I knew it was a talented side, but I think we could've split it into two sides with the numbers that we had and could've been competitive with both," he said.

"The talent we had on the bench and coming on, it was unbelievable, you could make changes and not lose anything because we had that much depth.

"It was a bit of a headache to pick a starting side, but it was definitely a good headache to have."

Next season Bull will be joined by Josh Murphy as co-coach of the women's side.

Murphy is new to the Bathurst Bulldogs but has plenty of experience as a coach.

He joins the Bulldogs from the West Harbour Pirates where he spent time working with the club's junior development program and the colts side before becoming the women's rugby head coach.

Prior to that, Murphy coached juniors for the Warnervale Wildcats, mentored with the Maitland Blacks, did Gen Blue work in Newcastle and spent time with the Alice Springs Dingo Cubs.

No doubt his knowledge will prove valuable.

"It met him just recently. He seems like a good bloke and is very knowledgeable with rugby, he lives and breathes rugby, so it will be good to have him on board," Bull said.

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