This is it. The Lithgow Workies reserve grade will play this weekend's grand final against the Bathurst Panthers this weekend at their opponents' home ground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Will the Workies be able to continue their stellar form, which has seen them unbeaten throughout the season, and bring home the premiership?
The signs are good heading into the game. Coach Jimmy Reinhardt and player Jake Gale were recognised at the recent Group 10 awards night as the best in their division. While Gale will be out with injury, the team has been ready for any challenge this season.
They won their place in the grand final by beating Bathurst St Pat's 32-14 at Orange in the major semi-final.
This Sunday, The Mudgee Dragons will meet the Bathurst Panthers in premier league, hoping to upset last year's champions at home.
The day kicks off at Carrington Park with league tag at 9.30am. Reserve grade will play at 1.15pm, with first grade at 3pm.
It is expected that all of the Lithgow Workies players bar one will be able to play on the day.
"One of our guys may be out with a broken bone in his hand, he had it operated on on Monday so he is going to see how he goes before deciding whether he can play or not," Reinhard said.
Not wanting to get ahead of himself, Reinhardt said they were confident but didn't want to jinx it.
"Our plan is to come in and win, and since we have been undefeated the whole season we don't want to get to the big one and get beat," he said.
"But we will just keep working hard to give us the best shot."
The prospect of a grand final match at Bathurst Panthers' home ground did not thrill Reinhardt.
"They will be hard to beat at home so we are going in fully prepared to play in front of their home crowd which will give them a boost, it just means we have to turn it up," he said.
Reinhardt said he hopes that some Lithgow residents would be willing to come and show their support.
"It would be really good to have some familiar faces in the crowd," he said.
Reinhardt said he wanted to thank everyone involved in the club including the committee, the coaches, managers and volunteers.
"I need to thank everyone involved in getting us through the year, everything you do does not go unnoticed, so thank you," he said.
The grand final match will take place at Bathurst on Sunday, September 15.
Love local news? Subscribe for as little as $2 a week. Find out how here.
