Road trip from hell for Southcity

Since taking over as Southcity captain-coach in 2011, the Bulls have made the 256 kilometre trip to Greenfield Park four times without ever beating the Thunder.

"I'm doing my best to get it out of my head, but you keep bringing it up," Fitzhenry joked yesterday.

"I've actually only played the one game down there, and we got beaten 34-0

"Maybe I'd be better off pulling out."

Despite boasting a fabulous 80 per cent winning record as Southcity coach, Fitzhenry definitely knows Albury is his bogey team - and Greenfield Park his serious nemesis.

Heading into Sunday's Group Nine minor premiership decider at the border venue, Fitzhenry's statistics against the Thunder are absolutely bleak.

The two teams have played nine times at all venues on Fitzhenry's watch - and he has a 3-6 record.

The numbers, however, are even grimmer at Greenfield Park, with the Bulls champion zero from four games, including the harrowing 34-point hiding in the major semi-final last year.

Coincidentally, injury or other commitments have forced Fitzhenry to miss the other three clashes, but the results have been the same.

For Fitzhenry, Sunday's game looms large as a way of clearing the decks.

Speaking to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, Fitzhenry admitted the Bulls had immense motivation to end their miserable run at Greenfield Park.

"It's a big game," he said.

"The minor premiership is at stake, and that adds a bit of spice.

"They (Albury) want the minor premiership, and I don't think they've been beaten (by any team) down there for thee years."

Significantly, a victory will hand Albury the minor premiership, but the Bulls will need to beat the Thunder and Tumbarumba in successive games to snatch the prize.

And Fitzhenry recognises the value of topping the table to clinch a home game for the major semi-final on September 14.

"It's the mental side of it," he said.

"If we lose to them we'd probably have to go back down there in a couple of weeks to play them again.

"It'd (winning) give us a bit more confidence."

With Albury set to be without skipper and lock Lou Goodwin because of a shoulder problem, Southcity will be boosted by the comeback from injury of second rower Nick Skinner.

The inclusion of Skinner gives the Bulls greater power and even more thrust.

Skinner starred when the Bulls edged the Thunder 16-12 at Harris Park earlier this year.

Tale of the Tape

Fitzhenry's record

2011

Albury 31 d Southcity 24 at Greenfield Park

Southcity 32 d Albury 24 at Harris Park

2012

Albury 30 d Southcity 24 at Harris Park

Albury 48 d Southcity 18 at Greenfield Park

Albury 36 d Southcity 26 at Equex Centre (grand final)

2013

Albury 28 d Southcity 10 at Greenfield Park

Southcity 24 d Albury 18 at Harris Park

Albury 34 d Southcity 0 at Greenfield Park (major semi)

2014

Southcity 16 d Albury 12 at Harris Park