The toughest swords are forged in the hottest fires.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After an abysmal 2019 Westfund Ferguson Cup campaign for Angus McDonald's Dubbo Kangaroos, the girls in blue are running riot through the abbreviated campaign with Forbes Platypi their latest victim in a 94-0 semi-final shellacking.
And even though the mentor was stoked with several aspects of the side's Wade Park clinic on Saturday, he knows the grand-final against Bathurst Bulldogs is just a week away.
"The job isn't done for us," McDonald said.
"We've got 40 more minutes of footy and it doesn't matter what's happened until now because if we don't bring it next week, it's for nothing.
"These girls had a really tough year last season with some big points scored against them. That core group of girls pretty much went through into this year and stuck with it."
There's a lot to be pleased about in the wake of a near-100-point drumming but McDonald was most impressed with his side's shape and commitment.
"We haven't played wit that much structure all season." he said.
"We controlled the ball really well and played the game we wanted to play. That was pleasing."
Lillyann Mason-Spice was an obvious stand out for the winning side and unsurprisingly so as she came up against her former club which always provides extra motivation.
"The was pretty keen to get up against Forbes and played really well in that inside centre spot," he said.
"But without help from the rest of the team she couldn't have played as well as she did today."
Forbes' coach Brendan Hayes knew his side was in for an almighty challenge on Saturday but couldn't be prouder of the effort they put forward and how well the season went.
"The commitment from this group of ladies has added a great dimension to Central Western rugby union," Hayes said.
"You want to play semi-finals football at the start of the season - that was our goal.
"To come up against a benchmark team that's been undefeated, sometimes you can come out a bit in awe of them. Our skill is good but we need to improve on it.
"With the disjointed season we're probably down seven or eight players. We're going to build on that and we'll be back next year."
- DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS AND SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...