Narromine have been the team to beat for most of the season, but the Bulldogs defeated them in their last encounter and also disposed of Dubbo Kangaroos in their semi-final clash last Saturday.

Bathurst co-coach Richard Smith said that all of the Bulldogs’ recent games had been important, but said that this was a game that his team really want to win.

“They have all been pretty important since we played Narromine in the last round, we were in a battle for second with Dubbo but now that we are in the semi-finals it is a different game,” he said.

“We really want to win this game so that we can earn a grand final at home.”

Smith played down the suggestion that his side should be favourites after they dismantled Narromine 30-12 on their Cale Oval home soil at the start of the month.

“Narromine have been playing good football all year and we have been the form side of the second round. We are undefeated since Dubbo beat us in the first round and they have had a shaky run into the finals, but they will be ready for the finals,” he said.

After finishing as minor premiers, the Gorillas had the week off and Smith said it would rejuvenate their opponents.

“You don’t know what’s happening at other clubs, but if they have any players with niggling injuries they will have had an extra week off to recover,” he said.

“I don’t know if you want a week off in the first week of the finals, but they will be fresh for the game.”

Smith said that he was anticipating a good battle in the forwards and the winner there would help their outside backs.

“They play a pretty similar style of football to us and the forwards clash will be crucial. We need to match them in the ruck area and that will let the backs open up a bit. Whoever can get on top in the forwards will probably win the game.”

Bulldogs were able to get through last week’s game against Dubbo without injury and they will have just the one change for tomorrow’s game.

“Jordan Bull will come into the side for Hayden Tidswell but that was a decision based on form, we felt that Jordan was the better option,” Smith said.

The Bathurst Bulldogs take on Narromine Gorillas at Cale Oval tomorrow at 3.15pm.

BATHURST BULLDOGS: 1 Karl Smith, 2 Alex Weal, 3 Chris Plunkett, 4 Lachlan Bull, 5 James Ovenstone, 6 Jono Cody, 7 Adam Dwyer, 8 Andrew Breen, 9 Mitch Ridgeway, 10 Scott Johnston, 11 Bart Bogart, 12 Luke James, 13 Paul Miller, 14 Tim Kaufusi, 15 Phil Tonkin.