WANT to know how serious Bathurst Bulldogs are about winning the Blowes Clothing Cup this year? Serious enough to say that their first top grade minor premiership since 2001 "means nothing".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Those were the words of Bathurst Bulldogs flyhalf Scott Johnston following Saturday's 20-17 win over Orange Emus at Ashwood Park which secured his side the minor premiership.
Johnston was a member of the last Bulldogs first XV to taste premiership glory - the 2010 outfit which downed Narromine 27-15 - and like his current team-mates he is hungry to once more celebrate a grand final success.
"Realistically the minor premiership means nothing," Johnston, who scored the match-winner against Emus, said.
"I guess it's nice to be able to play here for the first semi-final, I guess that is going to be a little bit of an advantage, but we are going to have to improve on that for the first semi when we take on Emus.
"Our goal at the start of the year was to play in that grand final and if we get there, it's anyone's ball game from there."
While first qualifying for, then winning, the grand final is the ultimate goal for Bulldogs, the minor premiership does bring with it the bonus of hosting the major semi-final.
Ashwood Park is a venue where Bulldogs have not lost a regular season game for the last two years. It is a venue the Bathurst side undoubtedly lifts at as indicated by their brilliant defensive effort against Emus.
"That's probably how we've played all season in regards to our defence. We've got a lot of confidence out of our defence and it is showed because we had plenty of energy there at the end," Johnston said.
READ MORE: Johnston's late try seals minor premiership
Emus coach Pete Bromley was naturally disappointed his side was denied in the final minutes of Saturday's match, but like Johnston said the minor premiership is not the main focus.
"We never thought we'd get the minor premiership anyway because even if we won today with a bonus point, they're still in front of us and they still have a game against Cowra and if they win that, they'd still get the minor premiership," he said.
"Our focus is built towards the finals and it has been for the last few weeks, that is what you play footy for - finals, not minor premierships."
On top of the first grade Bulldogs locking up the minor premiership for the first time in 18 years, the Bathurst club has enjoyed success across the other grades as well.
The undefeated colts outfit, second grade and third have all won the minor premiership in their respective competitions, while the Bulldogs' women are still a mathematical chance of leapfrogging Emus and finishing on top too.
