Bulldogs eager to go one better Swans in the way

THIS is not the same Bulldogs side that went down in last year’s grand final. This is a team fuelled by the desire to not let history repeat itself.

An influx of new Thuringowa recruits including Tyson Williams, Ayden Dountsis and Greg Macpherson have rounded out the blue outfit and the heartache of 2019’s decider against Hermit Park has lit the fire to ensure the silverware is theirs this time around.

The problem is they are coming up against a rampant Curra Swans side, one which is yet to drop a game in the campaign and has made scoring look easy throughout the season.

But Bulldogs coach David Black said the decisive fixture was a whole new ball game – anything can happen when the stars align at the right time.

They proved it last year, when they lost key players in the final 10 minutes of training to throw a spanner into their plans of dismantling the Tigers.

However this time around they are unscathed, undeterred and understand now what it takes to challenge the emphatic minor premiers.

“Grand finals always have pressure, they are undefeated but we know as well as anyone that doesn’t mean anything come grand final day,” Black said.

“We got challenged on the weekend and the way the guys responded after halftime (was exceptional). We spoke about it in the grand final last year when we were in front and we couldn’t hold them off.

“But it was a different game, we competed a lot better and were much more composed. We’re just more well rounded … I’ve had to leave out players from last year’s grand final, so it just goes to show the strength that we’ve got and guys of that calibre are missing.”

For the Swans it will not just be their A-grade side competing for the ultimate Townsville AFL triumph, with their women’s and reserve grade teams also making it.

Curra coach Jamie Fogg said the one-club mentality was at the root of their accolades thus far, paying tribute to the “50 or 60 (people) who do the little things off the field” for ensuring success could be had on it.

They will head into the decider brimming with confidence, after tearing down the Bulldogs 12.12 (84) to 2.3 (15) in the first week of finals.

But the former Hermit Park mentor knows how quickly things can change on game day, having led the 2012 Tigers to an undefeated season only to succumb at the last hurdle.

He and his players are not taking anything for granted as they seek to win the Swans their first flag since 1998. “If we take anything lightly we’ll get what we deserve, so it’s up to us to dictate what we do and put our destiny in our hands,” Fogg said.

“It would be good for some success for all those in the background, as I said to the players, there’s hard work off the field to get you results on it.”

The game starts at 3.30pm on Saturday at Riverway Stadium.

nick.wright@news.com.au