It adds a bit of zing to conversation and has been bandied around rugby circles since the start of June.

But over the past couple of weeks, Brumbies players and coaches have learnt it should only be used in the correct context, when the timing is right.

It's certainly not appropriate to start talking about 'finals' just yet.

While we're fully aware of the opportunities that lie ahead, the Brumbies' swear jar is empty and our entire focus rests on tomorrow night's hit-out against the Western Force in Perth.

Getting back to Brumbies training this week has been enjoyable. It's been great to shut out those external distractions and concentrate on what we need to get a win in Perth and claim five points on the road.

There's a lot going on in the Force camp that will have them fired up for a season-defining performance. Their former skipper Nathan Sharpe is running out for his last game in Perth, having played for the club since day dot.

I have a huge amount of respect for Sharpey as a player and a mate. But that esteem will take a back seat as we aim up against a Force side with nothing to lose. A spot in the play-offs has evaded the Force for another year but rest assured they will take plenty of pleasure in knocking over a domestic rival.

After darting out to a lead thanks to a Henry Speight try in the corresponding fixture last year, the Force pegged us back for a hard-fought draw. The same result won't cut the mustard in 2012.

Complementing the emotion the team will take into the match for Sharpey will be the confidence their current captain David Pocock has earned after leading the Wallabies to a series clean-sweep against Wales last weekend.

It was a pleasure to play under David over the past month. Like our skipper here in Canberra, Ben Mowen, David always leads by example and leaves nothing in the tank.

The June break was a masterstroke for all the rookie Wallabies in the Brumbies ranks, regardless of how much game time they enjoyed in the yellow jersey.

During my first European Tour, I spent the majority of the time like I was on a Contiki tour.

It wasn't until the match with the Italians I got an opportunity, but like all the guys who spent time in camp over June, I made sure I took my chances when they came along.

National acknowledgement is the pinnacle for any athlete in their sport. For players like Nic White, Dan Palmer, Jesse Mogg and Benny Mowen, it will be refreshing to know they are on the radar and their efforts are not going un-noticed.

Back in Canberra's club-land it's been great to see Wests settle into the top four. I couldn't help but notice the headlines the Lions were generating while I was away, with the great Stephen Larkham even returning for a few appearances in their lower grades.

When I saw Bernie hobble out last week for fourth grade, I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't his dad and ACT Rugby president Geoff Larkham.

Rumour has it Bernie will be working his way up through the grades and is hoping to feature at fullback for the Lions, somewhere in the finals series.

Pat McCabe is an ACT Brumbies and Wallabies centre