Blowes Cup: Final restructure leads to a sudden death clash between Bathurst Bulldogs and Orange Emus

Both the third placed Bulldogs and fourth placed Forbes Platypi (who were originally scheduled to play one another) have a shorter path to a grand final thanks to the new setup being first versus fourth and second versus third - with both winners going straight through to the grand final.

Assuming the current Dubbo regional lockdown ends in just under a week's time, Bulldogs will travel to play Orange Emus in a sudden death situation.

McRobert said the Bulldogs would have had to overcome either Emus or minor premiers Cowra Eagles to win the Blowes Clothing Cup title so the situation is still as big of a challenge as it was before.

"Both Cowra and Emus are playing such great rugby at the moment," he said.

"You want to be testing yourself against the best and that's what makes semi-finals so special compared to a round game because you're playing the teams that have proven themselves to be the best.

"We were looking forward to the challenge of playing Forbes, because we respect all three teams in the finals. It's still exciting, and we're content to take the advice of the board to see where we go from here."

Losing the chance to host a finals game is naturally a tough thing for any club to take but McRobert said organisers made the right call for this weekend.

"People's safety and welfare is more important than anything else. If that's what we've got to do then that's what we're going to do," he said.

"Matt Tink and the Central West Rugby Union board have made their decision, which we'll abide by, and hopefully the season will be able to finish like the last one.

"I think it was the only real option under the circumstances. If you look at the COVID situation it seems to be slowly spreading out from the Sydney basin and the fact that areas in west of Dubbo are in lockdown means that, in my opinion, it might not be long before Orange, Bathurst and other areas are swallowed up."

McRobert was blown away by how much effort the Bulldogs men put into their rugby when the 2020 season resumed, and he wouldn't be surprised to see a similar spike in enthusiasm should the finals be able to get back underway this year.

"If last year was any guide, playing sport was great for people's health and wellbeing, especially for their mental health. Bulldogs players were so enthusiastic when they were given the all clear last year," he said.

"We trained as well as we had in a long time and played as well as we could in the circumstances. I think all clubs could see the benefit of rugby at that time, and things were well managed by Central West Rugby so we have to put our faith in them."

If the lockdown is extended then grand finals will take place in Cowra with first versus second in all grades on August 28.

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