TWO years ago Aaron Booby decided he would dedicate himself to becoming a first grade quality player for the Bathurst Bulldogs.
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And what a decision it's turned out to be.
Now he's become the centrepiece of a fearsome Bulldogs forward pack who are one win away from Blowes Clothing Cup glory on their home turf.
Ever since he picked up back to back colts titles with the Bulldogs in 2010 and 2011 Booby was content to go about his business in the club's lower grades.
Then came a change in motivation - a burning desire to reach a new level - when his former coach at Saint Stanislaus' College, Dean Oxley, came on board to mentor the Bulldogs first grade outfit.
Booby said a window of opportunity was there to take if he was willing to put the work in.
"I played lot of second grade for a few years but then I thought I would really give it a crack. I think I realised I was a getting a bit old and I should have go while the body can handle it," he laughed.
"Dean coming back was a big thing because he coached me in school and I knew how good a coach he was. When he said he was coming back I knew it would be a good thing for the club.
"It was a pretty daunting task trying to get back into first grade. There are a lot of good props going around.
"I'm really happy with how the year's gone. I've played every game and the body's holding up well so you can't ask for much more than that."
Booby and the Bulldogs pack have slugged it out in an evenly-matched scrum throughout not just this year but across recent seasons.
The Bulldogs man feels the battle up front is more intense than ever before.
"In the past we've struggled to execute, including the grand final last year, and I feel like we're more prepared this year. Hopefully we can get it done," he said.
"Every single game has come down to only a couple of points against them. They're a big, physical team and we've matched it with them all year. Hopefully we can do it one more time.
"It's a big but mobile pack so it's hard work getting through them. We'll give it a good crack."
Bulldogs first grade will round out a massive day for the club with their kick-off at 3.15pm.
"It's important for us to have to entire club playing strongly, not just first grade," Booby said.
"This year has been outstanding for that. We do our training and fitness together on a Tuesday night and I feel that shows in the results across the whole club."
