A relaxed attitude and players having fun on and off the field.
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In recent seasons that’s been the way at South Dubbo. And it’s brought about plenty of success.
There might not be an RSL-Whitney Cup title in the trophy room but the Hornets have played in the past two first grade deciders while they also won last summer’s McDonald’s Megahit.
But in order to earn a different result in the biggest game of the season, things have slightly changed.
It happened during the hard-fought semi-final win over Macquarie and it’s something captain Mitch Bower hopes can help his side break through and claim that elusive title in this weekend’s decider against Rugby.
“We’ve all talked about it a bit but we’ve made three grand finals in a row and we’re a relaxed club but things have been a bit more serious,” he said.
“It was in the semi-final and we said it’s time to have a real crack at it. It’s not that we haven’t cared in the last two years, we probably just haven’t gone as hard as we could but this is our year to give it a real crack.”
While there’s a positive and confident mood around the Dubbo camp, there is one major fitness concern.
NSW Country representative and opening bowler Will Lindsay only managed to get through six overs last match before injuring his hamstring.
“He’s had a bit of physio and is trying to get prepared but it’s still pretty iffy at the moment,” Bower said.
“But it’s just one of those things and if he says he’s fit I’ll take his word for it and he’ll be in.”
Lindsay was set to have a net session on Friday evening to test the hamstring.
The injury suffered in the semi-final might not have been ideal but the Hornets took a huge amount from that win.
Souths didn’t have it all its own way as Henry Railz led a fightback after the side was reduced to 5/88 while Mat Finlay’s five wickets helped seal the win after the Blues were 4/154 chasing 220.
“I said a few weeks ago finishing top and going straight through to the grand final wouldn’t be a great thing for us,” Bower said.
“That’s because we had a lot of improvement in us and last week we really had to fight it out … that tough game was the best thing for us.”
In terms of this weekend’s grand final against minor premiers Rugby, it wasn’t the batting or bowling Bower thinks will be key.
“If we can take our catches that will go a long way,” he said.
“They’ve got batsmen who will all give a chance and if we can take them, even if its a half chance or screamer we need to take it.”
Play starts 1pm each day this weekend.