LIKE an angry bulldog, Goulburn have rampaged their way into the Canberra Raiders Cup grand-final with a blistering preliminary final win.
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Their unstoppable attack again proved to be the decisive factor in the 32-24 victory over the Queanbeyan Roos at Seiffert Oval on Sunday afternoon.
They will now return to Queanbeyan to face minor premiers the Blues in the winner takes all decider this Sunday at 3pm.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing,” captain/coach Mick Picker told the Post.
“Even though we dropped off for a bit after half-time, I thought our defence was real good. Everyone was doing the real one percenters.”
He attributes the club’s “good environment” as a major part of the Bulldogs success this finals campaign.
The close-knit playing group have been going the extra mile. The have been training on Saturdays before bonding over a meal.
It’s a process Picker is hoping will become a weekly tradition.
“The boys really appreciate the feed the Workers put on for us and it’s one of those of things that is relaxing the night before a game.”
The Bulldogs had gone into Sunday’s preliminary wary of the Roos who had been thumped 43-10 the week before by their cross-town rivals.
Previous clashes between the Bulldogs and Roos had seen a 28-all draw and a Roos victory.
But it was the Bulldogs who shot out the gates early, going into half-time 20-6 up courtesy of tries to Junior Vatakani, Nathan Chappell, Michael Bani and Michael Dodson.
The sight of Chappell’s name on the score sheet was sweet nothings for Bulldogs president Joe Stephens.
After Chappell and Luke Turner escaped suspension the week before, they proved to be an integral part of the Bulldogs win.
“Chappell was at his best I thought,” Stephens said.
“That left edge with him and Junior (Vatakani) was as lethal as ever. He definitely made up for his sending off that’s for sure.”
The Roos fought back in the second half and Picker admits the Bulldogs “dropped off,” as the Roos closed the gap to 20-18.
But the experience of Michael Dodson soon put the Dogs back on track. He crashed for his double after Blake Hewitt had crossed over to blow the score out to 32-18.
The game finished 32-24.
“I got lucky with my two tries,” Dodson said.
“Everyone just played great guns. Matty Worboys and Matty Antony played great guns. Luke Turner was enormous.”
The Bulldogs will now relish their grand-final week while they prepare to take on the Blues.
A supporter bus is being organised to ferry Goulburn faithful to Seiffert Oval on Sunday.
To register contact the Workers club by 5pm this Thursday.
Bus ticket will be $10.
Full preview of the grand-final in this Friday's edition of the Goulburn Post.
Goulburn Bulldogs 32 def Queanbeyan Kangaroos 24
Tries: Michael Dodson 2, Michael Bani, Nathan Chappell, Junior Vatakani, Blake Hewitt.
Ben Picker 4 goals.