Fixture release = Footy is back

Bathurst Giants will be fighting for more silverware in 2022 after winning the 2021 Minor Premiership. They kick-off their season at home to the Dubbo Demons: PHOTO Ben Neely

 

It’s been a long off-season with no matches since the AFL Central West competition shut down on August 9 2021. Cricket kits have (almost) been put away, and footy season has returned after AFL CW finalised the 2022 senior fixtures.

Round 1 matches were released several weeks ago which included:

• Orange Tigers vs Bathurst Bushrangers – Waratah Sports Club
• Bathurst Giants vs Dubbo Demons – George Park 1
• Cowra Blues vs Parkes Panthers – Mulyan Oval (Tier 2)

Both Orange and Bathurst Giants will acknowledge club people who passed away during the off-season in round 1. AFL Central West express our condolences to these families and hope that the fixtures provide a fitting celebration.

The early rounds are filled with AFL themed rounds. Community Umpire Round – held across rounds 2 and 3 – provides an opportunity to recognise our officials who are so integral to the game. Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in round 4 and 5 allow our clubs to celebrate Indigenous culture and empower our communities to recognise and reconciliate. Finally in round 11, the Bushrangers Tigers and Panthers host R U OK? Round, a round focussing on mental health awareness.

Across the season our clubs are hosting several major events.

The Bathurst Bushrangers host Orange Tigers for the Byrne-Long trophy, held in Round 5 (May 28). Orange will also host memorial rounds for Caleb Hannus (Round 1), Katrina Hobby (Round 9 vs Giants), and Chris Rothnie (Round 11 vs Dubbo).

Dubbo, celebrating 40-years of footy in 2021, have scheduled a heritage round in Round 12 against the Bushrangers.

2022 must watch matches:

• Bathurst Bushrangers vs Dubbo Demons – Men’s Tier 1 (Round 3, May 14)

The last time these sides met in Bathurst, the Demons prevailed for the first time in over a decade. Although the Bushies won later that season in Parkes, they’ll be keen to get revenge in front of the home fans.

• Dubbo Demons vs Bathurst Giants – Women’s (Round 5, May 28)

The benchmark of the competition over the past three seasons, the Bathurst Giants have been unbeatable in Bathurst. So, their first trip to Dubbo for the season will indicate whether they remain the premiership favourites.

• Parkes Panthers vs Cowra Blues – Tier 2 (Round 1, April 30; Round 11, July 23)

Grand Finalists in 2020, first and second in 2021. The expectation is that Parkes and Cowra will remain the Tier 2 standouts, so get to both Mulyan Oval and Northparkes Oval to watch these blockbusters. These also see the Tier 2 joint Best and Fairest winners – Mitch Stubberfield and Frank Bright – square off against one-another.

• Bathurst Giants vs Bathurst Bushrangers – Tier 1, Women, Tier 2 (Round 4, May 21)

It’s pretty safe to say that when the Giants play the Bushies, it’s going to be a fantastic match. Round four – whilst the second time the Tier 1 and Women sides meet – is the first with all three Giants vs Bushrangers in one day. Last year, both Bushrangers sides won their Tier 2 encounters, whilst the Giants had bragging rights in the other grades.

All AFL CW competition fixtures are located here.

Good luck to everyone for the upcoming Round 1 matches, as well as their entire season and may the best teams win.

 

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