AFTER a tough season on and off the field in 2019, this year was pegged as a rebuilding one for the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs.
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Now the Bill Andriske Oval-based club is just one win away from capping off a memorable bounce-back season - in which three of the five sides reached the semi-finals.
"This year has gone really well, maybe even better than anyone had hoped," Bulldogs' reserve grade skipper Steine Lofts said.
"I personally wasn't involved last year but it was disappointing to see the way the season ended, with the club not being able to field a first grade side.
"As such, myself and many others, especially after the COVID-19 lockdown, wanted to get back involved in the club and help rebuild it, in a hope to getting it back to where it belongs, which is first grade."
The club's under 18s program has always been strong, highlighted by back-to-back grand final appearances in 2017 and 2018, as has the women's league tag, which entered a division two side for the first time in 2020.
However, Lofts admits the men's grade teams have been struggling for a while now and really needed a confidence boost.
The club did gain confidence by entering just reserve and third grade sides this season.
"We knew we had a strong reserve grade team on paper but it just took a while for combinations to click, as we didn't really hit our straps to the back end of the season," Lofts said.
"With players like Blake Mackey, Wade Walker, Callum Franchi, Lochlan Broughton and myself who have played plenty of first grade, Simon Harris who won a first grade premiership with Albion Park and a bunch of younger players who have tasted first grade, such as Lleyton and Cody Roach and Travis Wooden, the side has a solid mixture across the board.
"I'm proud of the whole group and the way they've helped the club bounce back - it's really been a morale-boosting season.
"However, the job isn't done yet and everyone is excited to rip in on Saturday and bring the trophy back down south."
If the Lofts' side, who finished the season in third with a 6-1-2 record, are to secure their first reserve grade crown since 1989 [a season in which they defeated Shellharbour in the final to complete an undefeated campaign], they are going to overcome the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, who won their only meeting (16-nil) in round one on July 26.
"We showed in last weekend's win against Gerringong that we like to play at a fast pace," Lofts, who's club also won reserve grade titles in 1948 and 1980, said.
"The high-tempo style suits our players and will help move the bigger Jets forwards around.
"If we do that, as well as controlling the ruck and reducing the Jets time on the ball, it will give us a great chance of victory on the day."
If the Dogs are in front at the end of the 80 minutes on Saturday, Lofts knows what it'll mean for the club.
"I've been at the club a long time and was lucky enough to win both an under 18s and first grade title early in my career," Lofts, who Dogs lost reserve grade grand finals in 1949, 1985, 1993, 1997 and 1998, said.
"I definitely took those wins for granted, as the club has been through harder times lately.
"I've played with plenty of guys who have never won a title, let alone played in a grand final, so this is a massive occasion for us all.
"To lift the trophy on Saturday would be unreal and a reward for to all the people working behind the scenes at the club - it would be a special moment.
"A win would also act as the perfect springboard to us hopefully returning to first grade next year.
"There's obviously still a lot of work to do between then and now but a win on Saturday would be massive to helping the club transition back into the top grade."
In a similar vein, the 2020 Group Seven season has been a monumental one for the Jets.
It marks the merged club's first ever minor premiership since their origin in 2008 - after finishing with seven wins, one draw and one loss in the regular season.
On top of that, the club booked their maiden grand final berth in reserve grade, after defeating Gerringong 24-22 in the grand final qualifier at Bomaderry on October 11.
"It's been a really successful year for both our senior men's sides this season, with Dylan Farrell's first grade side making final for the first time in five years, while we have reached the decider," Jets reserve grade captain/coach Jack Atfield said.
"Everything has clicked and everyone is enjoying their footy, which has led to a lot of winning.
"I've been part of the club for all but two years since its creation and this would have to be one of the best seasons I've had on the field."
With only one first grade (2014) and one under 18s (2015) premiership to their names, Atfield and the club are keen to add more silverware to the Jets' trophy cabinet on Saturday.
"It's really special to me have played all my senior footy at one club, after playing my juniors with the Bomaderry Swamp Rats," forward Atfield said.
"As such, it's going to be a huge honour to lead the boys out in the grand final and if we were to win, it would be absolutely outstanding - I'd be stoked.
"Especially with all the time and effort my parents have put into the club over the years, this would be a reward for them."
Atfield, to ensure the trophy heads back to the Bomaderry Sporting Complex, knows what his team need to do on the field.
"We've had a simple game plan all season and we aren't about to change it now it's a grand final time," he said.
"Completing at a high rate, sticking our tackles and competing on every single play have been our keys this year.
"If we do all that, I have complete confidence we will be in front at the final siren."
The reserve grade final will kick-off at 1.30pm Saturday at Centenary Field.