AFL Central West Round 12 Preview
Round 12 of the 2021 AFL Central West Senior Competition will be held across Dubbo and Cowra on Saturday 31 July. 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
Dubbo Demons vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 2:15pm
Ground: South Dubbo Oval, Dubbo
The Dubbo Demons will hope to make it five wins in a row when they play host to the Bathurst Giants at South Dubbo Oval. The Dees have been in great form recently, and are making a late push for second spot. The Bathurst Giants are sitting eight points clear on top of the ladder and will be looking for a win to help keep that buffer between them and the Bushrangers. The last time these two sides played was in Round 9, with the Demons taking a 31-point win over the Giants. Expect a tight contest in Dubbo this weekend.
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Orange Tigers
Time: 2:15pm
Ground: Mulyan Oval, Cowra
In a change of scenery, the Bathurst Bushrangers will play host to the Orange Tigers in Cowra this weekend. The Bushrangers will be hunting for a win to bridge the gap between themselves and the first-placed Giants. The Tigers desperately need a win this weekend to keep their finals hopes alive, as the side remain two wins outside the finals placings. The last time these two sides played was in Round 9, with the Bushrangers taking a convincing 78-point victory over the Tigers. Look for the Tigers to come out strong this weekend, as this game may be their last chance to make finals.
Women’s
Dubbo Demons vs Bathurst Giants
Time: 12:30pm
Ground: South Dubbo Oval, Dubbo
The Bathurst Giants will look to keep their marvellous 10 game undefeated streak going when they travel to Dubbo to take on the Demons. The Giants have looked a dominant force this season, and will be looking to keep that going with finals just around the corner. The Demons currently sit in second spot, and despite trailing the Giants by five wins, need a victory to maintain the gap on the trailling Tigers and Bushrangers. The last time these two sides played was in Round 9, with the Giants taking a 55-point victory over the Dees. It’s the battle between first and second, so expect an entertaining encounter at South Dubbo Oval.
Bathurst Bushrangers vs Orange Tigers
Time: 12:30pm
Ground: Mulyan Oval, Cowra
Mulyan Oval will be the unexpected host this weekend as the Bathurst Bushrangers take on the Orange Tigers. The Bushrangers currently trail Orange by four points on the Women’s ladder, so a win this weekend would put both teams tied with finals just around the corner. A win for the Tigers however would make it extremely difficult for the Bushrangers to make finals. The last time these two sides played was in Round 9, with Orange taking out a narrow 17 point win. This is a must win game for both sides, so expect a highly physical encounter.
Men’s Tier 2
Bathurst Giants vs Cowra Blues – Match Abandoned
Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws vs Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels
Time: 9:30am
Ground: Mulyan Oval, Cowra
It’s Round 2 of the Bushrangers Derby, with the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws playing the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels. Due to ground availability however, this game will be played at Mulyan Oval in Cowra. Both the Rebels and Outlaws sit third and fourth respectively on the Men’s Tier 2 ladder, with only four points separating the two sides. The Rebels will be coming off a two week break so match fitness could be an issue, whilst the Outlaws will be looking to bounce back after losing to Cowra a fortnight ago. The last time these two sides played was in Round 4, with the Rebels taking a 27-point victory over the Outlaws. Things could be different this week though, so don’t count out either side.
Parkes Panthers vs Orange Tigers
Time: 11:00am
Ground: Mulyan Oval, Cowra
In the other Men’s Tier 2 game this weekend, the Parkes Panthers play the Orange Tigers at Mulyan Oval. Parkes has been the standout team in Men’s Tier 2 this season, and will be hoping to extend their winning streak. Orange currently sit seventh and will be hoping to avoid the spoon with a couple of games remaining. The last time these two sides played was in Round 6, with the Panthers winning comfortably. Look for both sides to come out strong this weekend.
DUBBO DEMONS – BYE
Junior Grades (action begins at 9:30am)
Orange Tigers vs Dubbo Junior AFL – Relocated to South Dubbo Oval
Bathurst Giants vs Bathurst Bushrangers – Abandoned due to insufficient ground availability
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