Wellington coach Greg Brien saw his side secure the Oilsplus Cup minor premiership last time out but he knows the Redbacks will have tor each another level on Saturday to ensure hosting rights for this season's grand final.
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In an incredibly close-fought minor premiership race, the Redbacks edged out the Molong Magpies after downing Coolah in the final round.
That not only secured top spot, but also hosting rights for this weekend's major semi-final clash with the Magpies.
The winner of that game will host this season's grand final, while the vanquished side will meet the winner of Saturday's minor semi-final between Geurie and Coolah.
"We did what we came to do, but not under very convincing circumstances," Brien said after last weekend's win.
"Instead of carting the ball up the middle and then moving the ball wide, we wanted to go wide straight away and it probably didn't help us at all,
"We let ourselves down today."
Wellington and Molong have previously met on two occasions this season, with the Redbacks claiming victory on both occasions.
After a 28-12 victory on home turf in round one, the Redbacks then got the job done on the road in the corresponding fixture and won 16-12.
"We've just got to be mentally strong and do what we need to do," Brien said of the major semi.
"We'll just play our style of football and hopefully that's good enough on the day."
Kick-off is at 3.15pm at Wellington's Bicentennial Park on Saturday, with the minor semi-final down the road at Geurie at the same time.
In that game, the Goats will welcome back a number of key troops.
The Goats, who were in contention for the minor premiership for much of the year, struggled to find the type of consistency which led them to last season's title and finished the campaign in third.
That sets up a minor semi clash with Coolah at the Geurie Showground.
Filisione Pauta returns to the lineup and that is a massive boost given he has missed numerous games due to representative and Group 11 commitments with Macquarie.
He is certain to make a difference, alongside fellow key players Moa Kavaefiafi, Josh Sinisa and Nash Forgione.
Geurie has beaten Coolah in the two previous meetings between the sides this season.
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Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
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.
