Junee local Michael Dobson is on the cusp of claiming one of the most prestigious trophies in European rugby league.
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Dobson’s Salford Red Devils earned the right to face Wigan in Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final when they downed Wakefield Trinity 30-6 six weeks ago.
They are now just one game away from playing in the final at London’s 90,000 seat Wembley Stadium.
The Red Devils captain and seasoned halfback said the business end of his side’s remarkable run through the 72-team knockout competition was shaping up as a career-defining moment.
“It’s going to be the biggest game of my career in terms of what’s on the line and it’s the biggest game for my most of my teammates too,” he said.
“I’ve never made it to a (first grade or professional) final, so to qualify for such a big one coming towards the end of my career would be a massive achievement and we’re only 80 minutes away from it.”
But standing between Dobson and the final is 2016 Super League premiers Wigan, the most successful club in Challenge Cup history.
The Warriors have won the competition a record 20 times, their most recent triumph coming in 2013.
In stark contrast, Salford’s last final appearance was in 1969 and they haven't raised the trophy since 1938.
Salford beat Wigan 31-16 in the Super League in early May and sits three spots ahead of them on the ladder.
But Wigan are used to playing in big games and Dobson said his side would pay the ultimate price if it took them lightly.
“We need to need to start aggressively and make sure we match them in the first 20 minutes,” he said.
“We’ve had a bad patch recently and that’s come down to how we’ve been starting our games.
“We’ve been on the back foot from the word go.”