JAMES Aubusson can handle a loss, especially against a team widely touted as premiership contenders.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It’s a six week streak without competition points that’ll leave the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs coach eyeing the ceiling at 2am in the morning.
The Bulldogs last year took until late- May to open their Canberra Raiders Cup account.
That’s precisely what they can’t afford to do this time around.
The Bulldogs kicked-off their 2013 season with a 40-22 loss to the Queanbeyan Blues at Seiffert Oval.
Although well-beaten on the scoreboard, the visitors showed signs of promise. They trailed by six points with 20 minutes remaining against the Blues and executed four tries through various avenues.
Hooker Ben Picker was outstanding, as were forwards Nathan Sutton and Richie Mason, centre Nathan Chappell and winger Junior Vatikana.
Goulburn sorely missed the presence of Shane McCallum and lacked size in the interchange bench stakes.
Now it’s about harnessing the positives from last Saturday and getting on the board against 2012 wooden spooners and first round losers the West Belconnen Warriors.
“It took us a long time to get going last year and that cost us,” Aubusson said.
“We’ve got to get the monkey off the back.” West Belconnen and Workers Arena are the best ingredients to help the Dogs get off the mark.
The Warriors finished 2012 at the foot of the Canberra Raiders Cup ladder and were handed a 48 point round one loss by Tuggeranong last Saturday.
Should the Bulldogs replicate last weekend’s performance, they’ll prove much too good.
“My opinion of us hasn’t changed,” Aubusson said.
“We went really good for 60 minutes.
They [Queanbeyan] are a big, fit side. They beat us around the ruck.” There’s more than two competition points and confidence on the line against West Belconnen.
The Bulldogs face reigning premiers the Belconnen United Scholars and 2011 champions the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in the next month.
It’s crucial, therefore, they pocket two competition points wherever possible.
With the return of Shane McCallum, the familiar surrounds of Workers Arena and some miles in their legs, it will take a brave man to back against the hosts.
Like their first grade counterparts, the Bulldogs reserves and under 18s line-ups failed to notch round one wins.
The under 18s showed signs of promise in an 18-all with the Scholars, while the reserves were denied 28-14 by the Blues.
All three sides return to Workers Arena on Saturday. First grade kicks-off against the Warriors at 5pm. Their match will be preceded by a reserve grade game at 3.20pm and the under 18s at 2pm.
