THE Dubbo Kangaroos had every reason to celebrate their third successive Blowes Menswear Cup grand final victory over the weekend after crushing Bathurst Bulldogs 32-12 in the grand final on Saturday.

There were a few questions to be answered before the win on Saturday could be certain. Would their limited preparation through the finals series see them caught short by an in-form Bulldogs? Would the shoulder of fullback Will Martel hold up? Would Lee Toohey get through the game with a niggling hamstring problem?

After a masterful pre-game plan by coaches Wayne Stewart, Tony Dixon and Geoff Koerstz, the Roos arrived full of running and in reality smashed their opponents into submission.

They answered all the questions and Martel and Toohey were again at their best.

From the first of Paul Elliott’s two tries with the game just 12 minutes old until the end, the Roos were on top and were never really threatened.

Elliott scored again mid-term and it was the vision of the winger that kept the Bulldogs guessing.

At 12-0 down after 24 minutes the Bulldogs hit back, and it was creative fullback Scott Johnston who ripped through a huge hole in the Roos’ defence and put down the ball without a hand being laid on him.

But just when the Bulldogs were mounting a raid, a loose pass out in the backs was swooped on by centre Ben Kidd, who raced 70 metres to score under the posts.

With Berry’s conversion the Roos were in control again, leading 19-7.

Another penalty through frustration came soon after and this time Will Leader added another three points for a 22-7 half-time lead.

The Bulldogs needed to score first after the break to have any chance of righting the ship and it was Jono Cody who forced his way over under an avalanche of Roos defenders. Lange’s kick from the sideline was short and it was 22-12.

A minute later Johnston was replaced through injury and that was the end of it for the Bulldogs.

Bathurst tried to give the ball more air in the second half but they were forced into errors and were unable to exert any pressure.

Down the other end Elliott was tackled just short of the line but in the next phase Dean Matthews sighted an opening on the blind side and it was try time again.

Berry kicked the conversion for 32-12 and the drinks were prepared for the post-match celebrations.

DUBBO KANGAROOS 32 (Paul Elliott 2, Dean Matthews, Ben Kidd tries; Tim Berry 3 conv, 2 pen goals) def BATHURST BULLDOGS 12 (Jono Cody, Scott Johnston tries; Ray Lange conv).