Bullioh's Shane Price experiencing breakout season with Bulldogs in Upper Murray league

The small forward played a handful of senior games for the Bulldogs in 2018, but booted 33 goals in the reserves before he was dropped the week of the grand final, which Bullioh went on to win, for ill discipline.

"I brought it on myself, so I had to cop that one on the chin. I was drinking during the week when I shouldn't have been," Price said.

The Holbrook product returned to his home club the following year, and after no football was played in 2020, Bullioh co-coach and work mate Josh Walters talked him into a return to the Upper Murray.

And he hasn't missed a beat in his first full season of senior football, kicking goals in every game to sit fourth in the league on 23 majors, with teammate Harry Schubert just behind on 20.

"He (Walters) drove me out there and asked if I'd have a kick again and I thought I might as well," Price said.

"Coming back from a season off, I had to prepare a lot harder, everyone was a lot more unfit than normal.

"I'm fairly happy with the form I'm in at the moment, I've just got to keep it up.

"I've been playing on the forward flank most of the year.

"I want to keep kicking goals and help get the team over the line along with everyone else.

"I probably shouldn't be kicking as many as I am, full-forwards are normally the ones kicking them. We've had a good spread of goal-kickers this year."

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The Bulldogs sit third at the halfway point of the season as they chase a third straight Upper Murray flag.

Price believes Bullioh should have a pretty settled lineup as finals approach.

"I think everyone will hold their spot pretty well, but we've still got a couple that will come back in which will be a big game changer for us," he said.

"Some people might unfortunately miss out."

Bullioh returns from a bye to play host to Corryong on Saturday.

"That should be another great test for us," Price added.

"We played well against them last time and hopefully we can do it again."

But despite having dropped three games already this year, there's no sense of panic for the reigning premiers.

"Tumbarumba came out pretty strong and obviously beat us first time around, which was a bit of a surprise to us, and Cudgewa has beaten us a couple of times, but I think we can work on that and reverse those results," Price said.

"We've got a lot of finals experience which will come in handy when it matters most."

In the weekend's other game, Tumbarumba can take a giant stride towards securing a top-two spot with victory against ladder leader Cudgewa at Tumbarumba.

The Roos are expected to be a full strength for the clash, with Steven Hoffman the only potential out.

Callum Brooksby shut down Corryong coach Mitch Harris last weekend and is likely to be given the the job on top forward Kylin Morey.

Federal has the bye.

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