HOW do you beat a undefeated team that averages close to 70 points per game? For the Bathurst Bulldogs women the plan is to 'go flat knacker'.
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This Saturday when the Bulldogs do battle with the powerhouse Dubbo Kangaroos side in the Ferguson Cup grand final at Wade Park they will very much be the underdogs.
Though the Bulldogs are attempting to pull off what no women's team in the history of Central West Rugby Union has managed before and make it four premierships in as many years, it will take something special to stop to Roos.
After finishing 10 points clear of Bulldogs in the minor premiership, the Dubbo outfit beat Forbes 94-0 in last week's semi-final.
"Dubbo are a good team, we watched them play last weekend. They are very structured and have a lot of good players who can just bring it together," Bulldogs captain Ali Stanford said.
"We've just got to turn up and want it.
"We're not going to start with the handbrake on, we're going to go flat knacker, go hell for leather.
"We have to go the full 40, play smart, do our basics right."
While the Roos are the undoubted favourites, Bulldogs have big game players of their own.
Eight members of the side who won last year's grand final against Orange Emus will line up against Roos on Saturday, including those with Central West experience in Marita Shoulders, Edwinda Ulberg, Mel Waterford and Mandy Scott.
They have also got two players with Jack Scott Cup experience in their back line in Mardi Watts and Claudia McLaren.
On top of that, the Bulldogs are much improved since their only prior meeting with the Roos this year - a 31-26 loss in round one at Dubbo.
"We have a lot of people who have returned since that game, people who have found their place on the field and we've got a lot more structure now than we did then in round one," Stanford said.
"There's definitely still pressure for us to back up, but for Dubbo to be such strong competition this year - they've gone through undefeated - I think we are the only ones who scored a try against them this year, they'll feel the pressure too."
Kick off on Saturday is at 10.30am at Orange's Wade Park.
