It is certainly an imposing record for the Bathurst Bulldogs and one which gives them the confidence they can make it 22 when hosting Orange Emus at Ashwood Park in Saturday's major semi-final.

Not since June 17, 2017, when falling 29-15 to Emus, have Bulldogs walked off the turf at Ashwood Park at full-time as a defeated unit.

They have certainly been tested during that time - the greens amongst those who have come close to ending the streak as 21-15 and 20-17 scorelines this season indicate - but even when under pressure Bulldogs have found a way to lift.

So important is the confidence that comes with playing at Ashwood, captain Peter Fitzsimmons sees it as being 'the biggest factor' when it comes to this Saturday's grand final qualifier.

"There's a definite home ground advantage. They're really hard to beat over there, they take a lot of pride in being at home, and I think it's the same for us," he said.

"We take pride when we play at home and it's a definite advantage to have this game at home. I think that's the biggest factor in the next two games - it will be whoever has that home game really has the upper hand."

While defending premiers Emus have a proven record at this stage of the season - they've hosted the last four grand finals - Fitzsimmons feels he and his team-mates have more self-belief in 2019.

That self belief has already translated into a 14 wins from 15 games and a minor premiership, and it will help Bulldogs as they push for firstly grand final hosting rights, then a top grade premiership.

READ MORE: Henley is fired up and ready to help Emus' grand final push

READ MORE: Bulldogs' colts are two wins away from perfection

READ MORE: Waterford gives thumbs up to expanded Ferguson Cup finals

"I think there's a bit more trust in the guy either side of you too. Last year we had a very young side and - it sounds like an excuse - but we had young guys who were finding their feet and playing some great footy, but it was about were we ready for the big win?," he said.

"This year the feeling is that we're a lot more ready, we're ready to have a real good crack at it."

As for what it will take to beat Emus this Saturday, Fitzsimmons said there is not one particular key.

Instead, in a mark of how much he respects his rivals, he said it will take every player performing for each minute they are on the field.

"I think this year, more so than last year, we've had a clear plan when we've played them," he said.

"We've been watching a lot of videos of previous games and looking at what's worked and what hasn't worked. So there's a definite feeling within the group - we know it's going to take some hard work, but we can definitely get the job done.

"They've definitely got the experience of grinding wins out and knowing how to do that job well ... it's an 80 minute game against them always and we've seen that all three times this year.

"That 80 minutes is the biggest thing. We haven't really focused on one part of their game that we've got to isolate, we just need to be switched on across the park.

"We've been guilty of falling asleep at times, going from really good to not so good, we just can't have that. The leaders in our team really need to step up and control the game."

Kick-off in the major semi-final is at 3.15pm.