BARRABA centre Luke White is on a roll and looking for his fourth premiership in as many years as the Bulldogs go on the road to Kootingal tomorrow for the major semi-final.
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White has won two with Barraba in 2011 and 2013, and the other with West Lions in the Group 4 Shield in 2012 during their now-ended five- year streak.
The last few years Barraba have been on the other side of the equation, hosting the major final after a week off.
This year they are up against it, playing a fully-fit Roosters outfit fresh from a week off and an unbeaten home and away season.
White believes the tough run into the finals will be good for the premiers.
The Bulldogs have had a very tough month, which began to show in the dying minutes of last week’s final.
A loss to Kootingal in the second last round before two very physical wins over Dungowan in the following two weeks have taken a toll, although White sees it as good preparation for what will be a tough finals battle.
“The last couple of times we have had the weekend off,” White said.
“I think it will help playing a lot of hard games this year.”
“The game after game fitness will help us.”
White said the Bulldogs “weren’t themselves” in the 39-10 loss to Kootingal in round 17.
“We have sorted it out and are going to come out firing on Saturday,” White said.
Club secretary and utility Jacob Hawley said it was their worst game of football since he joined the club eight years ago.
“A lot of it was attitude,” Hawley said.
“A few things didn’t go our way and we dropped our heads.”
Coming into that game, the Bulldogs had played the last and second last-placed sides Manilla and Bendemeer, as well as Walcha and the bye.
“You can’t get any momentum or rhythm in those games,” Hawley said.
“We are playing better football now and are more match-fit.”
“We are going in a good direction now and have our sights set on another home grand final.”
Unfortunately for the premiers they have lost prop Jesse Phillips for the season.
Phillips broke his arm in the match last week and had to get pins put in during the week.
The day will kick off at the Kootingal Recreation Reserve at 1.30pm, with Bendemeer and Werris Creek clashing in the league tag major semi before the main event at 2.30pm.