AFL Central West Round 8 Preview
The Giants have been too strong in their opening two matches vs Bathurst Bushrangers. Can they go three from three and continue their unbeaten run.
Round 8 of the 2021 AFL Central West Senior Competition will be held across George Park, Waratah Sports Club, Mulyan Oval and North Parkes Oval on Saturday 3 July. All the action begins at 11am, please remember as AFL CW matches are organised outdoor events, patrons are required to wear masks and sign in on the available QR codes.
Men’s Tier 1
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 2:15pm
Ground: George Park 2
Comments: The Bathurst Bushrangers will be looking to take back first place on the Tier 1 ladder when they take on the Bathurst Giants at George Park. The Bushrangers suffered a rare defeat in Round 7 when they lost to the Dubbo Demons, so look for the side to try and bounce back this weekend. Expect a tight contest though, as both sides have drawn wins against each other this season. The Bushrangers won their most recent match-up in Round 4, defeating the Giants by 17-points. Kolby McMahon is our player to watch, as the Bushrangers forward kicked 5 goals in the Round 4 contest. Significantly, both sides will be without key players – the Giants missing captain Bailey Brien and Zac Yandle through injury, whilst the Bushrangers will be without Harry Bowden and Scott Brown due to lockdown restrictions.
Orange Tigers vs Dubbo Demons
Time: 2:15pm
Ground: Waratah Sports Club
Comments: The Dubbo Demons will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they travel to Orange to take on the Tigers. The Demons got their first win of the season against the Bathurst Bushrangers in Round 7, so expect the side to come out on a high. The Tigers will want to hold onto third place, so look for them to come out strong at home. The Tigers won their most recent match-up in Round 4, defeating the Demons by 21-points. Todd Fagan will be the player to watch, as the Tigers forward kicked eight goals in the Round 4 contest.
Women’s
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 12:30pm
Ground: George Park 2
The Bathurst Giants will look to stay undefeated when they take on their local rivals Bathurst Bushrangers at George Park. The Giants have been in amazing form so far this year, and will want it to continue in the second half of the season. The Bushrangers need a win, having lost their past six games. What better time for a win than defeating the Giants so expect the Bushrangers to come out with something to prove this weekend. The Giants won the most recent match-up in Round 4, defeating the Bushrangers by 59 points.
Orange Tigers vs Dubbo Demons
Time: 12:30pm
Ground: Waratah Sports Club
Comments: The Orange Tigers will be hoping to repeat their Round 6 performance when they host the Dubbo Demons at Waratah Sports Club. The Demons have looked strong in recent weeks, displaying some quality footy. Orange will need to come out strong this weekend and slow down the Demons attack. This is easier said than done as the Demons won their most recent match-up in Round 4, defeating the Tigers by 100-points.
Men’s Tier 2
Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels vs Orange Tigers
Time: 11:00am
Ground: George Park 2
Comments: The Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels will be hoping to stay in second place when they host the Orange Tigers at George Park. The Rebels have had a strong opening to the season, currently sitting in second spot, four points behind the Tier 2 leading Parkes Panthers. The Tigers have had a mixed first half of the season, winning two games and sitting in sixth spot. They will be looking for a win this weekend to help them fight for finals contention. The Tigers actually won the previous contest between the sides in Round 5, so expect a tight game between the two sides.
Cowra Blues vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 12:00pm
Ground: Mulyan Oval
Comments: The Cowra Blues will be looking to try and make it back into the top two when they host the Bathurst Giants at Mulyan Oval. The Blues have looked strong so far this season, having recently only been defeated by the Parkes Panthers. The Giants enjoyed a good win over the Orange Tigers in Round 7, and will be hoping to travel to Cowra to get a similar result. This will be the first game between the two sides this year.
Parkes Panthers vs Dubbo Demons
Time: 6:30pm
Ground: North Parkes Oval
Comments: The Parkes Panthers will play host to the Dubbo Demons in a rare night game this weekend. Parkes will be looking to stay on top of the Tier 2 ladder with a strong win. The Demons however will be hoping to get going after a mixed opening to the season. The Panthers enjoyed a strong win against the Cowra Blues in Round 7 whilst the Demons will be looking to bounce back after a loss to the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws. This will be the first game between the two sides this year.
BATHURST BUSHRANGERS OUTLAWS – BYE
Junior Grades (action begins at 9:30am)
Bathurst Giants vs Orange Tigers – George Park #1
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Dubbo Junior AFL – George Park #2
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