BATHURST Bulldogs are the defending premiers, but their coach Shane Cantrill is placing favouritism for Saturday's Blowes Cup third grade grand final squarely on the shoulders of Dubbo Kangaroos.
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Since rejoining the third grade competition this season, Dubbo has not lost a game and in their two clashes with Bulldogs, posted 17-12 and 29-7 results.
It means Cantrill is justified when claiming Roos are favourites to win the grade for the first time since 2016.
"Hands down, they are by far the favourites in third grade. They had a couple of good wins against us, they are undefeated, they are the team to beat for sure," he said.
"We've had a bit of a tussle with Dubbo throughout the season and Dubbo have got the edge on us a bit, so we'll have to play pretty well to beat them actually.
"They've got a big forward pack and a pretty crafty five-eighth, so we've got to work hard to stop the momentum.
"In third grade you've got to make sure you stop that momentum and when you get a bit of ball carry really well. We've got to make sure we do those things before we can actually put points on the board I think. "
Stopping the momentum of a physically bigger side will test the Bulldogs and while they are defending premiers, the side which will take to Wade Park for the decider is vastly different to the one which beat Orange Emus on grand final day last year.
A bulk of the squad are students from Saint Stanislaus' College who were unable to play school rugby due to COVID-19. They are joined by some more under 18s, people new to rugby and 'one or two old blokes'.
"Half our side is under 18, 19 years of age. It's very different," Cantrill said.
"It's been fantastic and the kids have really risen in what they have done basically against men.
"Hopefully, in my eyes, they are the future of the club, but to see them holding their own against older guys, especially against Emus last week, is really, really exciting.
"They've got a bit of spring in their step, so hopefully they'll go really well till the end of the game.
"Over the years, especially a few years ago when I was playing, Dubbo were always our nemesis, but we've got a good ratio against them and hopefully it goes more towards us."
While Cantrill is excited to see what his young side can do in the grand final, he has paid tribute to Bulldogs as a club for qualifying three of its four teams for deciders in a season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second grade and the women's side will also battle Dubbo Kangaroos for premiership glory.
"I must say a big thank you to a club. At the start of the year we had six guys turn up to training week-in, week-out and 12 women and no-one knew what was going on," Cantrill said.
"But to see us go on from there, it is really proven that Bathurst Bulldogs is as strong as ever and has got a strong future going ahead as well.
Kicks off in the third grade grand final is at 11.50am Saturday at Wade Park.