It’s every players’ dream to finish with their time with a club with a grand final win and Ray Lange will have that opportunity when he runs on the field against Dubbo tomorrow.
The Kiwi joined the Bulldogs two years ago and experienced the pain of the side missing the finals for the first time, but he can contrast that with the sweetness of making the grand final in 2008.
Lange said the fairytale was something he something he was thinking about too much.
Lange’s future is undecided with a Queensland team the most likely beneficiary of his services but one thing is certain, this will be Lange’s last game for Bulldogs.
“It’s been good playing with people who have grown up with the Bulldogs. The people here have been great and that’s what I’ll miss most, the friendships,” Lange said.
“I’d like to thank Scotty Johnston. He’s a good player and a good clubman.”
Lange said one of the strangest parts of the game in Australia was singing the team song after games.
“Back home we didn’t sing songs so I still think it’s weird.”
Something that’s not completely foriegn to Lange is playing in grand finals, but he still
“I played in a couple back home and lost one 11-10 but certainly haven’t played in too many. I made semi-finals a few times but not too much experience,” Lange said.
He said there hadn’t been too much talk from those with grand final experince to the debutants.
“Not really, because everyone takes it their own way. I think win or lose it will be a great experience. They do things differently in New Zealand so to do what they do in Australia is a new experience,” he said.
The return of Paul Miller and Mitch Lavelle to the Bulldogs was one of the biggest differences between the last two seasons according to Lange and the experience that younger players had gained.
“A lot of players have been there and done that and know what to expect and we have focussed on improving our weaknesses,” Lange said.
He said coaches Richard Smith and Michael Burgess had also introduced some important training changes that had helped the side in it’s bid to return to finals football.
“They work well together. Last year we had one coach in Brian Roberson but I think having two is better because it allows them to talk to each other and find other options,” Lange said.
“We have been concentrating more on fitness and lasting the 80 minutes this year. Last year we didn’t do as much fitness work and sometimes we struggled to make the distance.
“Those guys sat and watched videos of our games and had us concentrating on where we could improve. Our scrums were a weaker point at the start of the year but we have worked on those and now we are up there with the best.”
For Lange, there would be nothing better than ruining the day for Dubbo, who are looking for their third straight victory and also looking to clean up in 2008, with all four of their sides in the grand final, as well as the Sheilas in the womens.
DUBBO KANGAROOS: 1 Ray White, 2 Geoff Koerstz, 3 Brian Swords, 4 James Skuthorp, 5 Stu Denston, 6 lee Toohey, 7 Tim Berry, 8 Dean Matthews, 9 Will Leader, 10 Mark Daley (c), 11 Rob Cleaver, 12 Mal Donald, 13 Ben Kidd, 14 Paul Elliott, 15 Will Martel.
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