UNWAVERING commitment to training has been labelled the key to the Bathurst Bulldogs colts' success so far this Blowes Clothing Cup season, and if their recent session is anything to go by then the blue and gold are on their way to bigger and better things.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The undefeated Bulldogs have been switched on in the build up to this Saturday's major semi-final at Ashwood Park against the Dubbo Kangaroos.
Bathurst have had to work hard to stay focused considering match time has evaded them for over a month, thanks to opponent forfeits.
Bulldogs co-coaches Shannon Felsch and Mitch Lavelle used last weekend's break to keep the team's legs ticking over.
The effort on display at the training session was more than encouraging.
"Their training ethics are so high. We trained last Saturday for an hour and a half. To get 20 guys there on a Saturday, at that age, is great," Felsch said.
"Their defence and their belief in actually other is the other big thing for them."
Bulldogs are 13 from 13 this season and can complete the unbeaten year with two more wins.
Felsch said his side don't want to get caught up in the discussion of a perfect season.
"We don't really think about it. We trying and go week to week. It's not worth thinking about what we haven't done yet," he said.
"I've seen teams over the years be undefeated and not make it to grand finals or lose grand finals. It's almost like a comp restart."
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
Kangaroos squads of varying quality have faced the Bulldogs this season.
Bulldogs were hardly troubled in 22-0 and 57-5 victories over the 'Roos to start the season but Dubbo showed more signs of life in a 31-10 result during their most recent game.
If Dubbo lift their game from that latest encounter then Felsch said his Bulldogs can't afford to drop off.
"It's been a mixed bag against them. When we played them in round one they didn't have a front row and we ended up having uncontested scrums," he said.
"They've gotten better and better. They've had some players come along during the season and we only beat them by a couple of tries in Bathurst last time so we're expecting big things from Dubbo."
Bulldogs have done some shuffling to their run-on side ahead of the semi.
Tom Natoli moves into flanker and Charlie Sharwood starting at scrum half.
Tom Felsch also comes back into the team at number 8.
Colts get a big day of rugby underway at Ashwood Park this Saturday with kick-off at 11.15am.
