http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/bulldogs-barking/2011694/
MORE than three decades after winning their last grand final, Moranbah Bulldogs come to town tomorrow to try to reach Mackay AFL's decider.
Moranbah won successive grand finals in 1977-78, in the first four years of its existence, but since then the pickings have been slim.
But that has changed this year under new coach Sebastian Curtis, who, with an influx of new players, has taken the club to tomorrow's preliminary final against Eastern Swans at Harrup Park.
"It's pretty good, we're all excited about it, particularly the guys who've been involved over the last four or five years," Curtis said.
"This club has had hard times for a long time, so it's a big year for the Bulldogs."
Moranbah beat North Mackay in last weekend's elimination semi-final, and the winner tomorrow takes on Mackay City in the decider next Saturday.
Curtis, a midfielder, joined Moranbah mid-season last year after moving up from Coolangatta, where he previously played about five years ago.
"We get a lot of blokes come in and out of the town with the mining industry," he said.
"This year we've had six or eight blokes turn up and commit for the full season.
"We've got a strong playing group this year of 26 or 27 and although we miss a few of them each week we still field a strong side."
Forward Michael Fisher, midfielder Aaron Thompson and on-baller Mitch Stansborough have been among the best, along with veteran forward Darren Semmler, who has been with the club since 2005 when it rejoined the Mackay premiership after a period in the Central Highlands competition.
"We've been struggling big time, at or near the bottom," Semmler said.
"But the rosters have changed a little bit this year and we've managed to get some new blood, some good young kids."
With Moranbah's rugby league team in the Mackay Skills Training Cup grand final against Souths on Sunday, Semmler said the focus in the mining community was on its winning teams, both league and Aussie rules.
"Especially when we've been through the hard times, we want to be a part of that," he said.
GAME DAY
- Mackay AFL preliminary final
- Eastern Swans v Moranbah Bulldogs
- Harrup Park, 2.45pm tomorrow
- Winner plays Mackay City in the grand final next Saturday
Last Modified on 06/09/2013 09:57