Not with Paul Ringland in charge.

Emus won the Blowes Clothing Cup minor premiership reasonably easily in the end, with it comes the right to host the major semi-final next Saturday and avoid the opening round of the finals.

But rather than easing off somewhat before ramping up the week before that major semi-final as some teams would instead, under Ringland’s tutelage, Emus will be working harder than ever.

“We will keep working hard, not just during the week either we’ll be getting together to do some work on Saturday too I think,” Ringland said.

For Ringland, Emus don’t have the luxury of being able to slack off.

“It’s just too close this year, all five teams in the finals are a real show for the title this year i think,” he said.

“You look at it, Orange City are a good side and I don’t think we’ll see the last of them this weekend, but Bathurst Bulldogs are a really good side too so that’s a tough game.

“Then you’ve got the likes of Forbes and Dubbo Kangaroos, who are great rugby sides.”

Forbes host Dubbo in the qualifying semi-final at Grinsted Oval on Saturday – the winner will play Emus at Endeavour Oval next weekend – while the Lions travel to Bathurst to play the Bulldogs in Sunday’s elimination final.