Donnybrook are desperate to secure a maiden finals appearance in the women’s competition this season and can put their best foot forward if they knock off Bunbury at VC Mitchell Park on Saturday.

Despite the Bulldogs having spent most of the competition’s short history in the top two positions on the ladder, they have always been pushed whenever pitted against the Dons.

This pressure eventually burst last season at VC Mitchell Park, with the Dons easily running out 5.5 (35) to 2.4 (16) victors after narrowly falling short on several occasions.

The Bulldogs had no answer to the dynamic duo of Jessica Verbrugge — who went on to win the 2021 Nola Marino Medal — and tenacious forward Terea Blee, who carved them up from the opening bounce.

Despite last Sunday’s loss against Busselton away from home, the Dons are well and truly in the finals mix. And with a block of four uninterrupted games on the horizon, Peter Worsfold’s side has an opportunity to put their finals ticket on lay-by if they are good enough.

On paper, the Bulldogs appear to be sitting comfortable in second spot with four wins from five games.

However, aside from three quarters against Carey Park in round one, Bunbury have appeared a little out-of-sorts at times, with their trademark run-and-stun brand of football absent during lengthy stages of games.

One positive for the Bulldogs has been the emergence of several youth-aged players, who have stood up when filling in for senior players unavailable for selection.

Bounce down is 1.30pm on Saturday.