Match of the Round – AFL CW Tier 2: Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels vs Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws
On Saturday, clubmates become competitors for the first time in 2021 as the Rebels take on the Outlaws in the Bushrangers' Derby. Photo: Bathurst Bushrangers Facebook
Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels vs Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws
Time: Saturday, 22 May, 11am
Ground: George Park #2
Competition: Men’s Tier 2
In Round 4 of the AFL Central West Tier 2 competition, it’s the local derby between the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels and Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws.
The Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels are coming off a convincing 47-point victory over the Dubbo Demons whilst the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws will be looking to bounce back after losing to last year’s runners up Cowra Blues.
This is the first clash between the two Bathurst sides, so look for a competitive and entertaining contest.
Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels
For the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels, the side will be looking to build upon last week’s victory over the Dubbo Demons. Rebels coach Damian De Montemas was impressed with the Rebels performance last week.
“It’s kind of been a strange year, there has been a lot of injures and a lot of shuffling around in the team, but it was a very good performance,” he said.
“With the players that we had in the team, everyone performed really solidly, and played good controlled footy.”
Despite the pressures of a local derby this weekend, De Montemas will want the team to practice playing their own game.
“I guess the focus this time of year is to practice skills, and really playing for each other as a team, and just making sure we practice playing our own game at our own speed, and don’t get too drawn into what the other side is doing,” he said.
The Rebels have had the stronger start between the two teams this season, but De Montemas is cautious that games like this can be tricky.
“Well it’s a local derby, and we are playing our own club, so they are tricky games really,” he said
“You want to play hard, and you want to go as well as you can. I guess each team will focus on what they are going to do, and what they want to try and achieve for the rest of the season.”
“It’s always a lot of fun, because you’re playing the guys that you train with twice a week, and they’re your mates.”
Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws
For the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws, the team will be looking to bounce back and make an impression on the Rebels after losing to the Cowra Blues. Despite the loss, Outlaws coach Anthony Fisher was impressed with his side’s performance.
“Cowra are a class side, and they have a great midfield, so we knew we would be up against it, but the boys played really well,” he said.
Like the Rebels, the Outlaws are committed on their own development at training, and Fisher is focused on that aim.
“It’s just the basic skills really because we have a lot of 1st year players. We focus a lot on positional play,” he said.
The Outlaws will be looking to upset the Rebels this weekend, and Fisher is aware that the win won’t come easy.
“They are a good side, they will be very strong, and they will be hard to beat. They have some quality players and are well coached.
Fisher believes that for the Outlaws to win on Saturday, they need to win it from the middle.
“I think the centre contest will be key, it will be out of the middle. Whoever wins the middle,” he said.
“Both sides have got some good speed, and some good skill, so it will be that clearance work that will be the key.”
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