Match of the Round Preview – AFL CW Tier 2: Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels vs Dubbo Demons

Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels vs Dubbo Demons

Time: Saturday, 5 June, 11:00am

Ground: George Park #2

Competition: Men’s Tier 2

 

In Round 6 of the AFL Central West Tier 2 competition, it’s a Round 3 rematch between the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels and the Dubbo Demons.

The Rebels will be looking to bounce back with a strong win after last weekend’s 12-point loss to the Orange Tigers. The Demons will be traveling to Bathurst the fresher side, as they had the weekend off due to a win to Cowra via forfeit.

The last time these two sides took the field together, the Bushrangers got the points, defeating the Dees by 47-points. This time, both teams have plenty to fight for, so expect a good game of footy.

Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels

The Rebels will be looking for their fourth win this season when they host the Demons at George Park. Despite a strong season so far, the side were given their second loss last weekend against an in-form Tigers side, losing by 12-points.

Despite the loss, the Rebels have enjoyed a good start to the season, currently sitting third on the Men’s Tier 2 ladder. A win this weekend would be highly beneficial to the side, as other teams are chasing behind. These teams include the Orange Tigers and Dubbo Demons. If the Rebels can win, they would hold onto third place.

Jai Bellamy has been huge for the Rebels this year, currently sitting second on goals scored in Tier 2 competition with eight kicked. Bellamy will be counted on to kick the goals for the side, so look out for him on the field this weekend.

Dylan Patching is another Rebels player that has been outstanding so far this season. In his first full season of senior footy, Patching has helped his side tremendously, kicking seven goals in five games.

Last time out against Dubbo, the opening quarter made all the difference, as they kicked five goals to none. Look for the Rebels to try and recreate that performance this weekend and set themselves up for a big result.

 

Dubbo Demons

The Demons enjoyed an unexpected win over second place Cowra Blues via forfeit last weekend, and the week off has allowed the side to get a little rest. For Demons coach Joseph Hedger, the rest allowed the side to work on some more skills at training.

“It allowed us to work on a few more combinations during the week. Half the players are new to the game, so it was good to work on a few things, ” he said.

“We have also been working on fine tuning our skills. Just our handballs and kicking. And also our game plan of what we want to do every Saturday.”

A win this week for Dubbo would allow the side to move up and keep in touch of the top three, and according to Hedger, getting the win in Bathurst would be a great achievement for the team.

“A win is important every week but to beat any Bushrangers side at home is an achievement,” he said.

READ: AFL Central West Round 6 Preview

When asked about his overall thoughts on the Rebels, Hedger complimented both the Bushrangers Tier 1 and Tier 2 sides.

“The Bushrangers in general are a great side in Tier 1, so that means that the Tier 2 guys are nipping at their heals,” he said.

“So if the guys don’t perform in Tier 1, they get dropped and the Tier 2 guys that are going well go up.”

The last time these two side played, the Rebels won the game by 47-points. When asked about this, Hedger was aware of what the team needs to do differently this time.

“The Rebels were great when we played against them,” he said.

“We really have to utilise the footy more. We really fall down in our forward line.”

“Our back line has been the best part of the year so far, so if we can really strengthen our forward line and get a bit of structure, we will kick a lot more goals.”

The action kicks off at 11am, on George Park #2.

 

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