AFL Central West Round 1 preview
Bathurst Bushrangers celebrate winning the 2020 Men's Tier 1 competition
Round 1 of the 2021 AFL Central West Senior Competition kicks off across George Park and North Parkes Oval on Saturday May 1. AFL Central West preview all the action, including the Match of the Round between the Bathurst Giants and Dubbo Demons Women’s sides. All the action begins at 11am, and with Covid restrictions easing slightly from the 2020 season, fans are welcome to come down, and cheer on their side!
Men’s Tier 1
Bathurst Giants vs Dubbo Demons
Time: Saturday May 1, 2:15pm
Ground: George Park 1, Bathurst
Comments: Put simply, these two sides do not like each other. Over the past two seasons, these teams have faced off in many high-pressure games, including a Preliminary Final, and an Elimination Final. If past seasons are any indicator, this will be a gruelling encounter and you won’t want to miss any of the action.
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Orange Tigers
Time: Saturday May 1, 2:15pm
Ground: George Park 2, Bathurst
Comments: The back-to-back reigning Tier 1 premiers Bathurst Bushrangers, host the Orange Tigers in the other Men’s Tier 1 match up for the weekend. Both sides will be looking for a positive start to the season. With new Tigers coach Dean Price taking over, will we see a return of the Tigers of 2012-14 or will they be the side that missed finals last season. At the Bushrangers, not much has changed – some players have departed, some have returned, and the expectation from the club will be to bring the silverware back to George Park at season’s end.
Women
Bathurst Giants vs Dubbo Demons (Match of the Round)
Time: Saturday May 1, 12:30pm
Ground: George Park 1, Bathurst
Comments: 2020 Women’s Grand Final Rematch, the defending back-to-back premiers Bathurst Giants will be looking to start their 2021 campaign off with a win. The home side that have lost 1 match in two seasons are favourites, but you can’t count out the Demons side, especially as one of the teams with the largest female playing groups.
Full Match of the Round Preview
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Orange Tigers
Time: Saturday May 1, 12:30pm
Ground: George Park 2, Bathurst
Comments: An exciting matchup to start the Women’s competition with these two sides battling it out for all of 2020 for third spot on the table. Expect the hosts to compete early as was the case in most matches in 2020, and with new coaches Kelsey Richards, and Tori Whitla at the helm, it will be interesting to see how the side shape up. The Tigers remain much the same, with some new faces supporting the many returning players. Expect a close contest.
Men’s Tier 2
Bathurst Giants vs Dubbo Demons
Time: Saturday May 1, 11am
Ground: George Park 1, Bathurst
Comments: This will be the first Tier 2 match for both clubs, with neither side having participated in 2020. There’s no form to go off with both teams new, so expect an exciting match.
Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws vs Orange Tigers
Time: Saturday May 1, 11am
Ground: George Park 2, Bathurst
Comments: Two teams that finished low on the ladder in 2020 face off in Round 1. The Outlaws are the Bushrangers Development side and will be filled with lots of emerging talent, whilst the Tigers side are a relative unknown with plenty of player turnover from last season. Both teams will be looking to start the 2021 season with a win.
Parkes Panthers vs Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels
Time: Saturday May 1, 1pm
Ground: North Parkes Oval, Parkes
Comments: The reigning Tier 2 premiers Parkes Panthers host the side they beat in last year’s Preliminary Final Bushrangers Rebels. The late change in fixture means that the Rebels might be slightly under strength, but teams should use this match as an indication of where the Panthers are at, as opposed to the Rebels.
Cowra Blues – BYE
Junior Grades:
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Bathurst Giants – George Park 2, Sunday May 2 (11am onwards)
Dubbo Junior AFL vs Orange Tigers – South Dubbo Oval, Sunday May 2 (11am onwards)
Keep up-to-date with all AFL Central West related news by following us on Facebook
