Match of the Round – AFL CW Women: Giants vs Demons

Reigning Premiers Bathurst Giants put forward a strong showing in the Pre-Season Carnival, now they look to replicate in Round 1 against last year's Grand Final opposition. Photo Credit - Bathurst Giants Facebook

Bathurst Giants vs Dubbo Demons

Time: Saturday May 1, 12:30pm

Ground: George Park 1, Bathurst

 

What an exciting way to start the 2021 season, with a 2020 Women’s Grand Final Rematch, as the defending back-to back premiers Bathurst Giants face off against the Dubbo Demons at George Park 1.

 

Bathurst Giants

For the Bathurst Giants, the side will look to build upon the continued success of the past two seasons, in which the reigning premiers only lost one match. And with a strong pre-season, Giants coach Liz Kennedy believes the side is ready to go.

“Preseason has been really good this year, we have had some great numbers at training, it’s really exciting,” Kennedy said.

“I’m so proud of the culture that the girls have built around the club.”

This season will see the debut of Molly McCrossin and Rosie Snare to the Giants team, and Kennedy is thrilled to see how they go.

“We have a couple of new girls that are new to the sport of AFL, so I’m really keen to see how those girls go,” Kennedy said.

“Our philosophy is for the girls to have fun, so as long as they go out and have some fun, play their best, the results will come.”

When asked about playing the Demons in the match of the round to start the season, Kennedy said she was looking forward to see how the team plays.

“It is what it is, we will play whoever we are told to play and wherever we have to play. It’s good though that it’s a grand final rematch between Dubbo and the Giants.”

 

Dubbo Demons

For the Dubbo Demons, the side will look to improve upon last season and go one better this year. With a excellent pre-season, Demons coach Lachy Ewart hopes the side is ready to match the intensity of the Giants.

“We expect the Giants to come out really strong, and we hope to be able to match the intensity,” Ewart said.

“The preseason has been good, we probably haven’t had the strongest pre-season on record, but we have had a lot of new players, and the older players are coming back to the fold but gelling well.”

When asked about playing the Giants in the match of the round to start the season, Ewart conceded that it was an exciting time for players.

“It’s always a funny one being match of the round. As a coach, you tend to try and ignore it, but as a player, you look forward to it,” Ewart said.

“We are happy to be able to take on a strong opponent, and we always have an extra kick in our step when we have to go down and play the Giants. They have an extremely well rounded side, where if one or two of their main players stay out, it doesn’t seem to hurt their system, which is what makes them such an extremely tough opponent, but also so hard to prepare against.”

All the action kicks off tomorrow at 12:30pm at George Park 1, Bathurst.

 

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