IN most games of rugby a goal kicker who had slotted six penalty goals plus a conversion would walk off the field satisfied, but that was not the case the last time Kurt Weekes played at Ashwood Park.
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His heroics with the boot were not enough in last year's Blowes Cup second grade grand final, Bulldogs falling 28-25 to Orange Emus. Having led until the final three minutes, it was a heart-breaking loss for the minor premiers.
This Saturday the Bulldogs' second XV will play at Ashwood Park for first time since that afternoon and once more Emus will be their rivals.
Even with the impact COVID-19 has had on season 2020 - delaying the start of the competition which had to be shortened and forcing unexpected changes in personnel - for Weekes at least Saturday does feel like a grand final rematch.
He's expecting another tough contest.
"It think it does feel like a rematch ...we are hoping to hand them a loss," he said.
"Emus they'll be pretty hyped up and I'm hearing they've got some new players. But for us it's the same thing, we've got some new players as well, and we're pretty keen to win, so it should be a good hit out.
"I think we've had a pretty good run here at home and I know Emus will be looking to leave here with a win under their belt for sure."
Weekes, along with flyhalf Sam Macpherson plus forwards Joel Harper, Sam Maher and Dale Norris will all be keen to gain some measure of revenge for last year's grand final loss.
But there are also new faces in the Bulldogs' second XV who are just as keen to upset the defending premiers.
Amongst them is New Zealand native Haze Reweti. He had initially signed to play in Group 10 with St Pat's, but when that competition was cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19, the former Manawatu Mustangs coach made the switch in codes.
Another league convert, 2019 St Pat's first division co-coach Tyson Medlyn, joins Reweti in the centres.
Saturday's line up also includes some of last season's colt outfit which also tasted defeat on grand final day with Ethan Ivory on the wing and Isaac Hogan named at fullback.
While Weekes predicts that Emus, who lost 12-10 to Forbes last Saturday, will be "fast, big and all the rest of it" he feels Bulldogs will be improved from their season-opening effort against Dubbo Kangaroos. They lost that match 17-15.
"As the game went on our team went better and better and got used to playing with each other. It was the first hit out for us and definitely we can build on it, I think we are headed in the right direction," he said.
"I think whoever can hold onto that ball the longest will get the win."
Kick off is at 1.55pm.
