IT'S not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog that counts - that's what the Bathurst Bulldogs hope to prove in Saturday's Blowes Cup second grade grand final.
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The Bulldogs are expecting the Dubbo Kangaroos to 'throw the kitchen sink' at them at Wade Park given they hold a clear edge in terms of size and weight, but physical challenges are something the Bathurst side has dealt with all season.
Bulldogs finished the minor premiership in second place behind the Roos, which pitted them against a sizeable Orange Emus outfit in their grand final qualifier last Saturday.
Bulldogs had to muscle up against the side which beat them in the 2019 grand final to keep their hopes of a premiership alive and that they did, emerging 21-19 victors.
"I was really pleased with how they played last Saturday. They went out to a bit of a lead, Emus, as they do, kept coming at them and we managed to hold on and were playing good rugby at the end which got us the penalty which won us the game," coach Matt McRobert said.
"I said 'Don't leave anything out there' and the guys were exhausted afterwards which was really pleasing. We'll be looking for the same on Saturday.
"They're a big bunch of boys those Dubbo boys, they feed them well up there. So we are expecting another physical game, it seems every club we come up against is bigger than us physically, we just have to find that little bit extra to beat them.
"Our second grade side has had the kitchen sink thrown at them by Emus, by Forbes them by Emus again, and you know, they've done really well, so it's not like it's anything like they are not used to."
They're a big bunch of boys those Dubbo boys, they feed them well up there. So we are expecting another physical game.
- Matt McRobert
Since falling to Emus in a gripping 2019 grand final, the Bulldogs second XV has had a number of changes. Of the squad of 23 that played in that decider, only eight will line up against the Roos on Saturday.
Still, the new combinations have clicked and McRobert hopes the Bulldogs can be crowned second grade premiers for the first time since 2018 and the 13th time in in total.
"We've got to where we are with a lot of luck and a lot of hard work from our second grade boys. We've been able to call on a very talented group of young guys - kids coming up from Stannies, kids coming up from colts last year," the coach said.
"So it's been a really new-look second grade side for us, but we're really pleased with the way they've come together.
"Saturday is just a matter of us turning up and putting in that effort again and enjoying ourselves."
Bulldogs have meet Roos just once this season, going down 17-15 in Dubbo, as the return fixture was snowed out. Saturday's decider is expected to be just as closely contested.
"They're a very proud club, we've got a very long history, I myself played Dubbo in more grand finals than anyone else. It's going to be a great game, I'm looking forward to it," McRobert said.
Kick-off in Saturday's second grade grand final at Wade Park is 1.20pm.
