FOR any Bathurst Bulldogs fan or player that was at Walmer Park on September 21, 2002, the memories of that afternoon when the blue and golds suffered four grand final defeats are bitter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So come this Saturday at Ashwood Park - the first time the Bathurst club has hosted a Central West Rugby Union grand final day since then - Bulldogs are vowing to do better as they aim for five titles.
The women's Ferguson Cup outfit plus the colts, thirds, seconds and first XV Blowes Clothing Cup teams will run on out home soil with the mission to be crowned champions. In all but colts they will be facing long-time rivals Orange Emus.
Bulldogs first XV coach Dean Oxley, who wore number nine on his back 17 years ago when his side went down to Orange Emus, remembers the heartbreak of 2002.
It's something he does not want to feel again.
"It was a very painful day having all teams in and all teams beaten. That won't happen again, I guarantee that this Saturday," he said.
"The build up for that day was massive, the expectation and the fanfare.
"This year is similar ... the hard work has been done because we absorbed the pressure and the expectation of the club and the community to get the home grand final. Now I'm wanting the players to relax and got play their football.
"There won't be any motivation required, there won't be the need for any speeches, there will be enough energy there coming from the crowd. We are expecting the Bathurst community to come out again and really get behind us, it's Bathurst versus Orange, they don't need any other reason to be there given that rivalry ... hopefully we can reward the spectators with a result."
READ MORE: Oldham kicks Bulldogs to a home grand final
Back in 2002 Emus, having lost the major semi-final 40-17 to Bulldogs, were the underdogs for the decider.
But they won the moments that mattered at Walmer Park to post a 21-15 win and snare the premiership.
"The set piece from Emus was something that was very strong on that day in 2002. I was playing halfback and remember being trodden on as our scrum went backwards," Oxley said.
"Their halfback scored four tries - Will Leader - so that is a painful memory, the opposition nine scoring that many tries.
"But our scrum showed last week how strong it was with a pushover try, so shoe's on the other foot. Our set piece has been strong all year, Matt McRobert has done a wonderful job with that area.
"This is our home, our time. It may sound cliched, but it sends a strong message which I would love to send to all teams and to the Bathurst community. Dare to dream, five from five."
- Are you a Western Advocate subscriber? Then CLICK HERE and join our new Central West Sports Subscribers Facebook group?
As well as the effort from the players which will come on Saturday, Oxley said the work of the Bulldogs' committee is important as well.
"Greg Reid has led from the front as the president, the committee is going to ensure the players don't have any major role this weekend other than playing football. It's a huge task - the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is phenomenal," he said.
"What has been done behind the scenes, all the small things that get done ... it's the reason why everything flows."
The action at Ashwood Park commences at 9.30am with the women's fixture. Colts (10.45am), thirds (12.10pm), seconds (1.35pm) and firsts (3.15pm) will follow.
