After a loss to the Workies in tough conditions in Lithgow last week, the Mudgee Dragons now face a do-or-die elimination semi-final against the Blayney Bears on Sunday.
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The Bears are coming off an impressive win over Bathurst St Pat’s, a side who trounced the Dragons only a few weeks ago.
Playing at home at Glen Willow however, Mudgee will be confident they can find the form that saw them knock-off minor premiers Orange CYMS in their final regular season match three weeks ago.
The Dragons have been licking their wounds all week after their tough encounter in Lithgow. Captain Jared Robinson said the key to victory this Sunday will be getting a competitive side on the park.
“We’re a bit battered and bruised and a bit worse for ware,” he said.
“We’ll have to wait until later on in the week to see how we’re looking for Sunday,” he said.
Despite the loss last weekend, Robinson said there are plenty of positives his side can draw from last week’s match.
“We take a lot out of it in terms of the determination we showed, the boys never gave up and our defence was rock solid,” he said.
'If we can get an even share of possession, complete well, kick deep and defend like we have been that should set us up in the latter stages of the game.'
- Jared Robinson
“Even though we didn’t get the win, the amount of ball Lithgow had and in conditions that suited them, to only lose 10-6 shows that our defence can keep us in the game which is a positive for us.”
The Dragons now return to Glen Willow where like most home sides, they enjoy playing.
Mudgee have already enjoyed success the Bears this year, beating them 28-18 at home and 28-20 in Blayney.
According to Robinson however, it’s a different ball game come finals.
“It’s always good to have a win up over someone you’re playing but semi-finals is totally different footy,” he said.
“Anything is possible and if we don’t show up there on Sunday and play to the best of our ability Blayney can really put some points on us, as they’ve showed throughout the season.
“If we’re not switched on there’s no reason why they can’t come here and do a job on us.”
The Dragons defence will have to be wary of the Bears, who play an unpredictable style of football that on it’s day, has the ability to open up even the best defensive lines.
However, Robinson and his team know what they’re up against.
“Their style is fairly ad-lib, they have some good halves in Terry Brown and Stephen Lane and some very good outside backs,” he said.
“They don’t have too much structure really, they just play what’s in front of them and when Steve Lane is doing that that’s when Blayney are playing their best footy.”
According to Robinson the Dragons game plan won’t be changing despite the opposition’s expansive style of play.
“If we can get an even share of possession, complete well, kick deep and defend like we have been that should set us up in the latter stages of the game,” he said.
“Semi finals is all about building pressure and it doesn’t matter if you’re in front in the first minute or the 80th minute, the 80th is the one that matters.
“Fingers crossed for the blokes that are injured at the moment, hopefully one if not two of them can play on the weekend and if we can get close to our full strength side there’s no reason we can’t push deep into this year’s semi-finals.”