The fairy tale run of Footscray reaches its final chapter on Saturday, with the Bulldogs on the verge of history.
Silverware has alluded the Dogs for almost a century. The club’s three Dewar Shield titles all came in the 1930s, with their most recent premiership in 1937.
But there is reason to think the 86 year drought may be about to end.
Whilst coaches Tumai Edwards and Sione Puamau have this squad primed for Saturday, ultimate success will lie in the paws of these Top Dawgs.
A journeyman of the Dewar Shield, Nabolakasi was finally rewarded for his years of club rugby dominance with a Super Rugby call-up in 2024. Fans from a cross the Victorian rugby scene celebrated his Rebels debut, such is the popularity of the hard-working Fijian.
His added bulk in 2024 has elevated his game to unchartered territory, and his improved fitness now makes him an 80-minute headache for opposition teams.
His threat in defensive lineouts means Power House will be reluctant to throw into the middle of the lineout, where he picks off throws for fun.
Whilst the likely withdrawal of Power House boom number 8 Judah Saumaisue (leg injury) will cruelly deny fans an epic match up, Nabolakasi and fellow backrow terriers, Hayden Collins and Luke Palu, will now feel they hold a slight advantage in the breakdown battle.
Where Power House will have to be most alert though, is from long arm penalties awarded to the Doggies – Nabolakasi isn’t afraid to take a quick tap and exploit a sleepy defense!
With mystery shrouding the availability of the Fijian Ferrari, Matai Nairavu, due to an ankle injury, Sani Nuku looks set to retain his place in the starting XV for the Grand Final.
Often used as an impact player off the bench, the 130kg wrecking ball never fails to lift the tempo of the Doggies when he is unleashed on a tiring defence.
His powerful carries skittles defenders at will, and his presence means centre partner Eli Vole can benefit from having less attention on him. Together, the two form a brutal midfield pairing.
Whether Nuku plays the full 80 minutes is unclear, but his goalkicking duties may well be what ultimately decides the outcome of this match.
The heartbeat of this Dogs outfit is their inspirational skipper, Eddy Maka.
Perhaps no other player in the competition commands an aura greater than the Footscray lock. His size alone puts him in the company of giants – an advantage he happily exploits.
Whether he’s swimming through the middle of a defensive maul or manhandling one-off runners, his brutality in the contact zone is something his teammates feed off.
We’ve seen the Dogs run a few lineout plays this season that invite Maka into the backline, where he can exploit smaller defenders. When he stands shoulder to shoulder with fellow wrecking balls Suni Nuku and Eli Vole, Power House defenders will face a challenge mightier than Cerberus, the three-headed dog that stalks the gates of the underworld.
Heracles be damned!
There is no replacement for Paki Seu. Our Meat Pie 'Scrumhalf of the Year' plays almost 80 minutes every match - such is his importance to this team. If he is below his best, Footscray can't win.
Hayden Collins and Luke Palu are monsters at the breakdown and will outwork everyone on the field.
Catch the 2024 Vailo Dewar Shield Grand Final live from 3pm this Saturday on the Rugby Victoria Facebook page.
