WHEN the Bathurst Bulldogs run out onto Dubbo’s No.1 Oval on Saturday not only will they face the tough task of overcoming the Kangaroos, but the players must overcome emotion as well.
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Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup match will see the two clubs not only playing for competition points, but the Ken Laird Cup.
Given Laird, a life member of both Bulldogs and Kangaroos, died on Sunday, the honour of lifting the cup will be even more hotly pursued than usual.
“He was just an amazing fella, holy crap this weekend is important for us,” Bulldogs coach Nathan Pearce said.
“From my point of view, I have a job to manage the emotions this weekend and it’s going to be a challenge. We’ve got to hit the ground running, but it’s going to be tough, especially up there, that’s always our hardest road trip.
“Two weeks ago after we had Sandy pass away, we were terrible in the first five minutes after we had a minutes’ silence for him, so it’s going to be a challenge this weekend.
“We are going to be playing for the Ken Laird Cup, because he was president of Dubbo as well, and gee I’d be filthy if Dubbo end up with that cup this weekend.
“I know it’s horrible thing to say because I know they think as much of him as we do and it’s a credit to the guy because he was larger than life.”
The emotional gravity of winning the cup aside, the match also carries plenty of importance in terms of position on the ladder.
Bulldogs currently hold down second, three points ahead of ’Roos, but a loss could see the Bathurst outfit drop to fourth.
To prevent that from happening, Pearce not only wants his players to continue to impress in defence, but improve their communication when attacking.
“I feel like, when the game is a bit one-sided, they can rack up points better than anyone. I’m hoping that in the tight tussle we are going to give them that we will be able to prevail because our defence has been our key and I don’t think it’s theirs, I think attack has been their key,” he said.
“I’m hoping that the old analogy that defence wins tight games is going to win through.
“We actually spoke about what it is we are dropping our bundle with and it was an interesting realisation for us that our defence, and our communication in defence, has been the strong point and we think where we are dropping the bundle is our communication in attack.
“We are working on that and trying to get 80 minutes of that this weekend. We’ve had very few gaps in defence this year, in for and against our against is very good. It’s not as good as Emus’, but it’s pretty strong.
“The structure in attack has been what is breaking down and that’s all about communicating and we are not doing that enough.”
Bulldogs will be without Ollie Barclay this Saturday, but having done well off the bench a week ago against Cowra, Tom Fitzsimmons will make his run-on first grade debut at lock.
Remarkably, inside centre Sam Roberson has given himself a chance of returning from a serious leg injury. However, Pearce will not risk the playmaker if there is any doubts surrounding his fitness.
Kick-off is at 3.15pm.