Just a month ago the Dragons started the then competition leaders’ slide back down the Group 10 ladder with a 34-16 victory in Mudgee, running in eight tries to three.

It was the second time this year that Mudgee had the strength to run through Pat’s after a 32-22 win at Jack Arrow Oval in round four.

In that match Judd was inspirational for his out-sized team, smashing the ball up 23 times in a big performance.

Both of those encounter have left Judd with a better understanding of how Mudgee play their football with the Pat’s prop expecting more of the same today on the Dragons’ home soil.

“Mudgee are very different to CYMS as they don’t spread the ball wide, they

prefer to roll down the middle of the field,” he said.

“In saying that, we just need to concentrate on our game, which has been a little bit of a problem at training with the wet weather forcing us indoors.”

Victory today will see the winners playing minor premiers Orange CYMS for a spot in the grand final with the loser to play sudden death football either against Cowra or the Orange Hawks.

Both teams know what side of the equation they want to finish on.

If Pat’s can defeat Mudgee, Judd said he felt his side had what it takes to unsettle CYMS and secure a home grand final after a close 28-24 loss last Saturday.

In front of their home crowd, Judd (pictured right) said while CYMS had the upper hand at half-time his men fought back hard and could have secured an unlikely victory if the bounce of the ball went their way.

“The match against CYMS felt like it was on a knife’s edge and could have gone either way,” he said.

“There were patches where the luck went their way and if it went ours then it could have been a closer contest.

“In the last five to 10 minutes a 50-50 decision went their way and they scored a try off the back of it. Also we had a little chip kick over the top and if it went to hand we would have scored and been two tries up.”

Despite feeling disappointed after last Saturday’s match, Judd said he expected a large contingent of supporters would make the trip to Mudgee to hopefully cheer on all three Saints teams to victory.

“We should have a strong crowd come with us to Mudgee as all three teams will be playing in the finals on Saturday,” he said.

“While the under 18s might have had a bit of luck getting into the finals sneaking in of for and against, having all three teams playing in the finals shows there is depth at the club.

St Pat’s will take on the Mudgee Dragons at Jubilee Oval at 1.45pm.

ST PAT’S: 1 Terry Crane, 2 Kirk Roberts, 3 Luke Howard, 4 Mick Armstrong, 5 Blake Fitzpatrick, 6 Tim Holman, 7 Chris Osborne, 8 Brad Toole, 9 Trent Hemsworth, 10 Wade Judd, 11 Brent Dennis, 12 Zac Rowlandson, 13 Matt Tilley, 14 Steve Lake.