Securing a home grand final – that’s the prize motivating the Todd Barrow-led Bathurst Panthers in Sunday’s major semi-final trip to Wade Park to play Orange CYMS.
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Panthers haven’t earned a grand final berth since 2007 when they defeated Lithgow Workies 24-4 under Dave Elvy’s captaincy, that win came at Carrington Park. It was the first premiership they’d won at the venue in eight attempts.
Toppling CYMS is easier said than done of course, and even though the green and golds won 36-16 the last time around Panthers came close much earlier in the season when they came from behind to draw 30-30.
“It would be great to get a home ground grand final, it would be great for the whole club. But we have got to play well again this week to get the job done,” Panthers manager Danny Dwyer said.
“They gave us a bit of a lesson last time to be honest. We had their measure early there – we led 12-0 – but then they got back level with it and went on with it in the second half.
“There were certain areas of our game that needed improving and we have worked hard on that since.”
While CYMS are coming off a week off thanks to winning the minor trophy, Panthers earned a spot courtesy of an upset, 54-26 major semi-final shellacking of cross-city rivals St Pat’s.
Needless to say, Barrow’s men are supremely confident after the victory.
They know a similar performance is needed against CYMS, even if the green and golds will be without inspirational captain-coach Mick Sullivan.
“He is a big loss for them, but at the same time they have had time to prepare,” Dwyer said, Tim Mortimer will replace Sullivan at half.
“[The win over St Pat’s] came on the back of our high completion rate … our defence was good and our kicking game was spot on.
“But there were only four or five sets we didn’t complete, St Pat’s did score a couple of soft tries and we can’t afford to let that happen again.
“[The] test for us to pick up where we left off. The pressure is on us to produce two quality games back-to-back.
“CYMS are able to hold their composure and that comes from the experience of playing a lot of big games, that always holds them in good stead.”
In a surprise move, Barrow started at dummy-half last weekend and is expected to do the same against CYMS – signalling Panthers’ intentions to try and dominate through the middle.
It lets regular hooker Nick Loader play an impact player role, which he did superbly against the Saints.
Sunday’s major semi-final between Panthers and CYMS kicks off at 2.15pm.
