Blowes Cup: Bathurst Bulldogs will warm up for finals by facing Orange City

That is the message from Bulldogs skipper Peter Fitzsimmons ahead of his side's final round Blowes Cup clash with wooden spooners Orange City this Saturday.

Bulldogs are destined to finish the regular season in third regardless of what plays out on grounds across the Central West on Saturday, so it offers them one more chance to fine tune before the finals.

Fine tuning is something Fitzsimmons knows his side needs to do.

"There's things we are not doing well and it will be a good opportunity for us to get that right, it's one more game to get it right before it's do or die," he said.

So far this season Bulldogs have twice accounted for Orange City, wining 34-31 at Pride Park and thumping the Lions 71-17 at Ashwood Park.

Still, Fitzpatrick is not going to underestimate the Lions and their desire to finish 2021 with what would be just their second win.

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"That's what we've been talking about, trying to finish strong, but coming in against City is not necessarily a good thing because they've got nothing to lose, they'll be looking to take one final scalp before their season is over," he said.

"So it's a bit dangerous coming in against them in this position I think.

"They've come from a place where they've had a lot of success, so a lot of the guys knows what that feels like and know what that looks like and they haven't been able to achieve it recently."

One area Fitzsimmons sees as a potential threat on Saturday is the Lions' ability to execute from open play. Defending in those types of situations is something the Bulldogs skipper wants to see improved.

"I find it really hard against City because one of our weaknesses at the moment is our kick-chase and defending broken play and that's something they're really good at," he said.

"It's something that has been their bread and butter for years, if they get in broken play they know how to finish well. So it will be a good game if we can assert a bit of dominance to begin with and not allow them to have that broken play.

"If we can keep it very structured, I think we'll be okay."

Saturday's match at Pride Park kicks off at 3.15pm.

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