AFL Central West Round 5 Preview
Round 5 of the 2021 AFL Central West Senior Competition will be held across South Dubbo Oval, Waratah Sports Club, and North Parkes Oval on Saturday 29 May. AFL Central West preview all the action, including the Match of the Round between the Tier 1 Orange Tigers and Bathurst Giants. 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!
Excitingly, Round 5 also marks the first of two weeks where AFL Central West are celebrating Sir Doug Nicholls Round. This is a significant round for our code and our region, and as we head into the opening round of these celebrations, we would like to acknowledge all past, present and future Indigenous players of our code in the Central West, celebrate the land on which our great game is played – that of the Wiradjuri peoples, and look forward to showcasing the amazing things our clubs have organised to recognise the contribution of Indigenous people and our local communities’ Indigenous groups.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and contribution to Australian Football. Always a highlight on the AFL calendar, this year’s theme for the round is Our Legacy – This is Us.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round is celebrated from the elite level to grassroots and AFL Central West is proud that clubs in the region are helping their players and communities engage across all levels. In 2021, Sir Doug Nicholls Round formally takes place from 24 May to 6 June.
Men’s Tier 1
Dubbo Demons vs Bathurst Bushrangers
Time: 2:15pm
Ground: South Dubbo Oval
Comments:
The Demons will be looking to bounce back after a 21-point defeat to the Tigers last weekend. The Bushrangers are traveling to Dubbo on a high after defeating their local rivals by 17 points. Kolby McMahon will be looking to continue his great start to the season, as the Bushrangers forward has kicked 13 goals in four games. Dubbo have currently lost six out of their past seven games at South Dubbo Oval through 2020-21. Look for the side to turn it up this weekend against the competition leaders.
Dubbo will be celebrating Indigenous Round by welcoming those in attendance with a Smoking Ceremony, in addition to inviting local Elder Lewis Burns to perform songs in language. Trudy Sloane of Big Mobs Artwork, will be presenting a piece of art to the Demons, which will be used in the design of a guernsey to be worn later in 2021, whilst the club will also acknowledge artwork from the people of Dubbo’s Clontarf Foundation that are being displayed on the South Dubbo Oval Interchange benches.
Orange Tigers vs Bathurst Giants (Match of the Round)
Time: 2:15pm
Ground: Waratah Sports Club
Comments: It’s the battle of the competition leading goal scorers as the Tigers host the Giants in Orange. The Tigers are coming off their second win of the season with a 21 point win over the Demons. The Giants will move on from their loss last weekend to the Bushrangers, and aim to repeat their victory over the Tigers a fortnight ago. Tigers forward Todd Fagan currently leads the league with 20 goals while Sam Sloan is leading the Giants with 17 goals. Expect either goal kicker to have an impact if their side is to win on the weekend.
The Orange Tigers will be celebrating Indigenous Round with an Acknowledgement of Country by their Indigenous players. Both their traditional language and the English translation will be used in the acknowledgement, a fantastic way to recognise these club people’s culture.
Women’s
Dubbo Demons vs Bathurst Bushrangers
Time: 12:30pm
Ground: South Dubbo Oval
Comments: The Demons will look to make it four on the trot when they host a desperate Bushrangers side. Dubbo have been playing some great footy lately, as the side convincingly defeated the Tigers by 100-points last weekend. The Bushrangers however, have lost their their past three games, so will need to come out hungry for victory on Saturday. This won’t be easy though, as the Demons are beginning to make South Dubbo Oval a fortress this year. The side has won both their games hosted at the venue. Look for Lauren Hazell to make an impact for the Demons, as the forward is currently leading the competition with 12 goals scored. The Demons’ strong performances of late have come from dominating the midfield battle, and the improving visitors will need to step up at the coalface if their to compete with the competitions top sides.
Orange Tigers vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 12:30pm
Ground: Waratah Sports Club
Comments: The Giants are in red hot form, currently undefeated after four matches in 2021. Meanwhile, the Tigers will be looking to bounce back after a 100-point loss to the Demons last weekend. The Giants have not been defeated since Round 3, 2020, so it would difficult to tip against them at this stage. Look for Hailee Provest to make an impact, the Giants forward has kicked seven goals already for the year.
Men’s Tier 2
Dubbo Demons vs Cowra Blues
Time: 11am
Ground: South Dubbo Oval
Comments: The Demons, fresh off their first victory of the 2021 season, will host a fresh Cowra Blues side after their match was called off last weekend. Cowra, along with Parkes Panthers, has been form team in the competition thus far. A win for Cowra could potentially see the side get closer to taking top spot off the Panthers. However, a win for Dubbo would help their season tremendously, as the side is currently sitting 6th on the ladder. Keep an eye out for Frank Bright to make an impact for the Blues, as the forward is leading the competition with nine goals scored from only two matches.
Orange Tigers vs Bathurst Bushranger Rebels
Time: 11am
Ground: Waratah Sports Club
Comments: In the opening game at Orange this weekend, the Orange Tigers and Bushrangers Rebels will battle it out. The Rebels will be looking to continue their recent run of form, as the side is coming off a 27-point win over the Bushrangers Outlaws last weekend. The Tigers will be trying to bounce back after a 23-point loss to the Demons in Dubbo. Our player to watch is Jai Bellamy who has been outstanding in the potent Rebels’ forward line this year, kicking eight goals so far.
Parkes Panthers vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 11am
Ground: North Parkes Oval
Comments: The only game not in Dubbo or Orange this weekend, Parkes Panthers will play host to the travelling Bathurst Giants. The Panthers will be looking to stay on top of the competition ladder after sharing the points with Cowra last weekend. The Giants will be coming off a bye, so look for both teams to come out fresh and ready to attack the footy. Currently sitting at 1-2 after three games, the Giants will need to put in a big performance against a red-hot Parkes side.
BATHURST BUSHRANGERS OUTLAWS – BYE
Junior Grades (action begins at 9:30am)
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Orange Tigers (George Park, Bathurst)
Dubbo Junior AFL vs Bathurst Giants (South Dubbo Oval)
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