When the Bulldogs line up against the Dubbo Kangaroos at Apex Oval tomorrow to play for a place in the grand final, they will be greatful for the experience that hooker Andrew Breen brings to the side.
While some of the younger, flashier players like Bart Bogart get the glory for scoring tries, Breen is in the background laying the platform for his team.
In his 12th year with the club, Breen missed the first half of the season after breaking ribs and damaging cartilage, but since then he has worked his way back to fitness and into the starting line-up.
He has also played in his fair share of grand finals but hasn’t won as many as he’d like.
Breen missed the grand final victory over ’Roos in 2005 with injury, but was co-coach with Brian Roberson for the win.
The 29-year-old said it has taken time to get back to fitness, but his confidence has also returned with every game.
Bulldogs co-coach Michael Burgess said Breen has made a significant difference to to the side since his return.
“He missed the first half of the competition through injury but he has been a massive bonus for us since his return. Having the first round off he means he has come back fresh,” Burgess said.
“His scrummaging and strength as well as his go forward work around the paddock have really helped the team.”
Breen said the Bulldogs were ready for the challenge of upsetting the form side of the 2008 season, despite having been beaten by the ’Roos 15-12 in the first round and 29-15 in the second.
“We did lose to them twice but they were close games. It would be good to get a win and it’s do-able, but we need to be on our game,” Breen said.
Burgess said this was one of the games his side had been aiming for since the start of the season.
“Obviously the grand final is the goal, but this is one of the games we have been working towards, to be in this game and have the chance for the home grand final, we are really looking forward to it,” the Bulldogs mentor said.
Dubbo have lost just one game this season, a grinding 10-9 loss to Forbes on May 28.
Before that it was way back in April 2006 that the ’Roos lost to the Dubbo Rhinos and Burgess knows there are very few weaknesses in their team.
“There is no one area where we can say we have it over them. Our forwards are even and our backs are even,” Burgess said.
“In the first round against them we had our opportunities but we didn’t take them and then it was one bad read that cost us. In the second we weren’t travelling well injury wise and and things didn’t go our way.
“For us it is a matter of taking our opportunities and getting points when we get the field position, whether that be three points for a penalty or five for the try.”
The reward for the winner is a week off and a home ground advantage in the grand final and Burgess said it would be a boost for the club, but added that it’s not essential to success.
“For the club it would be great to get a home grand final at Ashwood Park in our first year out there but in saying that, if it has to be in Dubbo we have had success over there in the past as well,” Burgess said.
Paul Miller will be given an extra week to recover from knee ligament damage but is likely to play in their next game.
The Bathurst Bulldogs take on the Dubbo Kangaroos at Apex Oval tomorrow at 3.15pm.
BATHURST BULLDOGS: 1 Ross Turnbull, 2 Andrew Breen, 3 Chris Plunkett, 4 Olly Barclay, 5 James Ovenstone, 6 Jono Cody, 7 Adam Dwyer, 8 Michael Weekes, 9 Mitch Ridgeway, 10 Mitch Lavelle, 11 Steven Brown, 12 Scott Johnston, 13 Ray Lange, 14 Bart Bogart, 15 Phil Tonkin.
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