Ferguson Cup: Bathurst Bulldogs want to deal Dubbo Kangaroos a blow in minor premiership battle

The Roos had not lost a game as they charged into last year's decider as the hot favourites, but in the dying minutes Comiskey sliced through their defence to see Bulldogs snatch the win.

This season the rivalry between Bulldogs and the Roos has continued, a better for and against the only thing giving Bathurst top spot on the ladder over the Dubbo outfit.

The only losses the sides have suffered have come against each other - Roos beating Bulldogs 29-19 in Dubbo while Comiskey and her team-mates struck back with a 48-7 result at Ashwood Park.

Though there are still four rounds of the regular season remaining, this Saturday's meeting between Bulldogs and the Roos shapes as the game which will decide the minor premiership.

It's something Comiskey and her fellow Bulldogs want, but they know it won't come easily.

"They're all very excited to take it out, some of them are very anxious and the Roos will come out firing, but hopefully we can come out firing too and be just as hungry for the ball," she said.

"They've got a lot of speed in the backs and I reckon they are very astute in the scrum too, they are probably our best competitors to verse in the scrum.

"I think they've improved significantly with their speed and skills since last year, but I also think Bulldogs have improved as well, so it's going to be a tight match."

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In terms of improvement from Bulldogs players, Comiskey is amongst those who have taken a step up after last season's premiership success.

She's not only continued to scored tries, but she's lifted her defensive intensity and work rate at the breakdown even though she has made a big positional shift.

Instead of being on the fringes as a winger or centre, she's now in the middle at number 8. Her work in the forwards earned her a spot in the Central West Blue Bullettes side which won the Country Championships.

Not bad for a former Western NSW FC soccer player who didn't know any union rules when she first took up the sport four years ago.

"I had a mate that really wanted to give it a crack and I thought it was something I'd be interested in and had been interested in playing for a few years but I would've never had a crack. I had no idea about the rules, but once I started playing, you'll never get me out again," Comiskey, who started her rugby career at CSU, said.

"It's my second season with the Doggies now, second season with the girls, I haven't found a better community to be part of."

In order to beat the Roos in Dubbo, something Bulldogs haven't done since the opening round of season 2019, Comiskey says she and her team-mates "have to maintain our strength and communication on the field".

"It is a motivator to beat them on their home turf and it's also a motivator that they're the only team who've beaten us this year, so everyone is very driven," she said.

"We haven't beaten them over there for awhile so it's a bit nerve-racking, but I'm sure the girls will be up for the challenge."

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