Wests flyhalf Carter Gordon believes his side is good enough to play finals footy this season and challenge for a title later this year. 

Wests are third with three rounds remaining but face a tough few weeks heading into the playoffs. 

The Bulldogs face Bond this weekend, then Jeeps and UQ in the final rounds and will more than likely need to win two of those three games to secure a spot in the playoffs ahead of Bond and Brothers. 

“We’ve come a long way this year, we’ve learnt a lot as a team and I think we are playing a good brand of rugby heading into the back end of the season,” Gordon told Rugby News. 

“Our set piece is getting better each game and I think our unstructured play is exciting.

“Our discipline needs to improve though. We need to stay on top of our penalty count if we want to go further in this competition.”

While Wests appear to be sitting pretty in third spot, a deeper dive into the Dogs form shows they haven’t beaten a team in the top six since round five this year, all the way back in early May. 

Carter doesn’t think that’s an issue though and seems confident his side can peak at the right time of the year. 

There’s a really good feeling within the group and I think we’re in a good place at the moment. 

“It’s important for us to win this weekend against Bond but if we can do that, then there is no reason why we can’t continue the job from there.”

The 20-year old BBC graduate moved to Melbourne to join the Rebels last year and got a good taste of Super Rugby at the backend of this season against the Kiwi sides. 

While there is more than likely going to be plenty of professional rugby in Gordon’s future, for now he’s focussed on Premier Rugby and the Bulldogs run towards the finals. 

“Club Rugby is different to Super Rugby, it’s a little slower and ball in play time is a lot shorter but it’s the great place to test your skills and try new things.

“To win a comp with Wests would be pretty special, it’s a great club. Winning any competition is always a special time but to do it with Wests would be a dream.

“I honestly think we can, it’s going to take some pretty big performances but I believe we have the team to do it.”