Andrew Ryan led the Bulldogs tour party that included fellow players Corey Payne, Gary Warburton and Danny Williams, along with Amanda Grant who looks after community relations with the club.

While the Bulldogs were signing autographs at Centro Dubbo yesterday after a full day and a bit of visiting schools and talking to kids at a registration sitting, Grant spoke about how important having the club represented here was.

“All the NRL clubs are involved in the Community Carnival concept and our roster that included Dubbo could not have gone any better,” Grant said.

“If we get the same number of kids and others who have made us welcome this week, the word is the game on the 27th could attract something like 12,000 people.

“I would like that to happen and no doubt so would Group 11.”

It was projected that 4500 kids from 10 primary schools would have had access to the four Bulldogs over the two days of the visit to Dubbo, and as well, huge numbers were at Apex Oval on Monday for the junior league registration.

A fundraising dinner for the junior league held at the RSL club was also a feature.

“Obviously Andrew Ryan was the main attraction for us this week. He is so well known and to have him come back to his home town with three of his team-mates was ideal,” Grant said.

“Each of the players warmed to the Community Carnival and its concept of Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well and if we have been able to get that message across successfully this week then that can only be good for everyone concerned.

“The other plus for the Bulldogs has been for us to push club membership. We have been able to give away eight memberships over these days and this was warmly received.

“All the NRL clubs are active in the community promoting club membership which will in turn help to keep the clubs afloat.

“Our target is 10,000 members and I can say that we have probably the biggest membership in the country regions. Ideally, those numbers could increase after this visit and at the trial in a fortnight.”

The Bulldogs will have two NRL trial matches before the premiership starts - against St George-Illawarra at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on February 20 and then at Dubbo against the Raiders the following weekend.