Image: Holly Hope Creative

It seems silly to say it, but Wests have almost been floating under the radar in this year’s Hospital Cup. 

Despite playing in the last two grand finals and sitting third on the competition ladder, on the back of four straight wins, the Bulldogs have had an up and down 2024 to date but seem to be finding their bark at the right time of the season. 

“It’s been good to get back on track after a tough run through the middle of the season,” Wests coach Elwee Prinsloo told Rugby News. 

“After we played Jeeps the first time, we had a lot of injuries and we had three or four games during that time where we played with four third grade players each week in fairly crucial positions. 

“All clubs go through it and we’re not complaining, but it’s good to be on the other side of it because it’s just too hard to beat the top sides in this comp if you don’t have your top players playing.”

Prinsloo said cohesion and an improved defensive effort has been the biggest difference for his side in recent weeks, coming off an impressive 27-14 victory over GPS last weekend. 

“With the nature of our program, we’ve got a lot of guys playing in different programs around the place and at times, it can be difficult for us to stick to what we think is our DNA because players are changing week in week out,” the coach explained. 

“But as we’ve got guys back a little bit more consistently, our DNA has no doubt come together. That’s our physicality, being tough upfront in our pack and playing unstructured footy off the back of that. 

“Our defence has also really improved. Jeeps have been averaging four or five tries a game this year and we kept them to two tries on the weekend which was pleasing.”

Wests travel to Crosby Park to face competition leaders Brothers in a second rematch of last year’s thrilling grand final, won by the Filth 26-24. 

Brothers beat Wests 41-12 when the two sides met back in round seven, but both sides will look significantly difference come Saturday. 

“Brothers are the benchmark of the competition and the thing about Brothers is that it’s almost irrelevant if they have their rep players or not because they are still an outstanding side. 

“They have lots of depth and they are very well coached. 

“It’s going to be a really good challenge and I think we’ll get a good idea of where we’re at heading into the last few rounds of the season.”

Wests win over GPS next week means the Bulldogs are in the box seat to join Brothers, UQ and Souths in the finals. 

GPS play Norths this week ahead of a bye in round 17, then face Brothers at Brothers in the final round and will need to win both matches and hope results go their way to leapfrog their way into the playoffs. 

Prinsloo said he was excited about the challenge ahead but admitted he had no idea which way the competition will go come finals time. 

“Brothers are going to be hard to beat but finals football is a different beast,” the coach said. 

“Souths have quite a few guys to come back from the Australian U20s and from the Reds and they’ll be a different side with those guys. 

“UQ have built a lot of cohesion and they’ve got a lot of strike power. I think Kye Oates has probably been one of the best players across the QPR this season and he’s firing on all cylinders, as is Bradley Twidale.

“Brothers, us and Souths all play a pretty similar style to an extent. UQ are playing a far more expansive and fast style of football that is going to challenge any team.” 

In the rounds other matches, Easts host Bond and Sunnybank take on Souths.