The toughest swords are forged in the hottest fires.
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After an abysmal 2019 Westfund Ferguson Cup campaign for Angus McDonald's Dubbo Kangaroos, the women in blue are running riot through the abbreviated campaign with Forbes Platypi their latest victim in a 94-0 semi-final shellacking.
It was part of a hugely successful semi-final day at Orange on Saturday as the Roos second grade side, also an unbeaten minor premier this year, advanced to its decider by defeating Orange City 27-10.
While women's mentor McDonald was stoked with several aspects of the side's semi-final clinic at Wade Park on Saturday, he knows the grand-final against Bathurst Bulldogs is just a week away and it's a whole different matter.
"The job isn't done for us," McDonald said.
"We've got 40 more minutes of footy and it doesn't matter what's happened until now because if we don't bring it next week, it's for nothing.
"These girls had a really tough year last season with some big points scored against them. That core group of girls pretty much went through into this year and stuck with it."
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There's a lot to be pleased about in the wake of a near-100-point drubbing but McDonald was most impressed with his side's shape and commitment.
"We haven't played with that much structure all season," he said.
"We controlled the ball really well and played the game we wanted to play. That was pleasing."
Lillyann Mason-Spice was an obvious stand out for the winning side and unsurprisingly so as she came up against her former club which always provides extra motivation.
The Australia A sevens representative was rampant again, running in six tries in the win while Bec Smyth scored a double.
"She (mason-Spice) was pretty keen to get up against Forbes and played really well in that inside centre spot," McDonald said.
"But without help from the rest of the team she couldn't have played as well as she did today."
Forbes' coach Brendan Hayes knew his side was in for an almighty challenge on Saturday but couldn't be prouder of the effort they put forward and how well the season went.
"The commitment from this group of ladies has added a great dimension to Central Western rugby union," Hayes said.
"You want to play semi-finals football at the start of the season - that was our goal.
"To come up against a benchmark team that's been undefeated, sometimes you can come out a bit in awe of them. Our skill is good but we need to improve on it.
"With the disjointed season we're probably down seven or eight players. We're going to build on that and we'll be back next year."