It's not often in sport a side completes a regular season and then goes into a grand final with next to no knowledge of the opposition.
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But that's the scenario facing Dubbo's Brewery Shield team heading into Sunday's decider clash with Cobar at No. 1 Oval.
The one regular season meeting between the sides was abandoned due to ongoing extreme heat in January.
Dubbo captain Angus Norton confessed tactics and plans are slightly affected heading into the game but he also suggested it would allow his young side to play with more freedom.
"We haven't played them so it's hard to come up with plans," Norton said.
"There's a lot of unknown so it is hard to plan, but that could be a good thing. You can let the cricket really take care of its self."
Dubbo earned hosting rights for the grand final after finishing as minor premiers while Cobar knocked off Narromine in the semi-final.
The semi-final stage was where the campaign ended for Dubbo last season and a number of players from that side will again be in action on Sunday.
"A lot of the guys who were in the side which lost in the semis last year were really down so to rectify that and get a home final was great," Norton said.
"We're really excited and we want to replicate the efforts of Dubbo's Premier League team and Brewery Shield sides of the past.
"We want to go out there and play good cricket and have a good time doing it."
Dubbo's Western Zone Premier League claimed this season's title when defeating Parkes in the grand final last month.
A victory in the Brewery Shield on Sunday would give Dubbo and District Cricket Association its first double since 2013/14.
"For some fellas it would mean winning two trophies in the one season," Norton said, he being one of a number of players who featured in the Premier League a handful of times.
"That's not easy to do and it's hard enough winning one. It would be really nice for us and hopefully we can do it."
Norton had some trouble choosing a side with a number of players from the final round roadtrip to Nyngan unavailable.
Jimmy Kuntze, who made his maiden half century for South Dubbo in the RSL-Whitney Cup last weekend, comes in for his representative debut.
Kuntze is set to open the batting and how he and his fellow openers fare on Sunday could go a long way to deciding the contest.
"Whicever team wins will have to bat well against the new ball," Norton said.
"I've heard a couple of their bowlers are bowling really well and we've got Bailey Edmunds and Jacob Hill and they're two quality Whitney Cup bowlers.
"Whichever side has the opening batsmen that see off the new ball and set a platform, that's the team that will win."
Play starts at 10am at No. 1 Oval on Sunday.
- DUBBO: Angus Norton ©, Jake Settree, Jimmy Kuntze, Jacob Hill, Ben Wheeler, Tom Barber, Connor Watts, Gilbert Chaseling, Bailey Edmunds, Mitch Lincoln, Mitch Ashford
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
