KICKING the very first goal of the match proved to be the highlight for the Dubbo Demons on Saturday as they fell to a mammoth 186-point loss against the Cowra Blues.
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The Demons made the trip to Mulyan Oval feeling confident after their last start win over the Young Saints and knew a win over Cowra would all but guarantee a top four finish and a spot in the finals.
But Cowra had different ideas and Frank Bright starred in his 350th game for the Blues, kicking ten goals in his milestone match and using every bit of experience to catapult the Blues to a convincing 202-16 win.
The 10 goal hero said the Blues just wanted to build on the good performances they've established in the last few games.
"Our last month of footy has been pretty good so we just wanted to continue that today," Bright said.
"The first half was a bit scrappy but once we cleared things up at quarter time it was good.
"I think we've secured a home semi now, and we don't have many injuries so everyone's beginning to stand up.
The Demons got off to a perfect start when Ryan Woolfe kicked the game's opening goal but they were left chasing the Blues for the rest of the opening quarter as the home side took command. Bright kicked three goals in quick succession after the Blues found their feet to take a 22-6 lead into the break.
The second quarter began similarly with the Demons kicking the opening goal, this time through Matt Campbell, but Cowra began to assert their dominance on the game with Bright and Cory Kennedy both kicking multiple majors.The enthusiastic Cowra outfit were winning the majority of contests and were moving the ball freely around the park as they went into the half-time break with a 65-14 lead.
The Blues were relentless after the main break and went on to win the second half 132-2.
To Dubbo's credit they continued to try and add to their total but some desperate defence from the Blues ensured the Demons weren't getting any cheap points.
Chris Day kicked goal number 30 for Cowra as well as the thirty-first which clicked the total over 200 just before the full-time whistle blew.
Bright was extremely happy with his sides victory and despite the individual milestone he seemed more happy with the teams complete performance.
"I've been doing the same thing I've been doing for the club now for years. It is a special day, but at the end of the day it's about the club and cementing third spot on the ladder," he said.
Dubbo remain four pints above the fifth-placed Saints, who forfeited against Bathurst on the weekend, but face a daunting trip to Orange this weekend for a clash with the competition-leading Tigers.
o COWRA BLUES 31.16 (202): Francis Bright 10, Corey Kennedy 7, Christopher Day 3, Brad McLeish 3, Ron Roe 3, Nathan Worth 2, Blair Holgate 1, Geoff Day 1, Kim Reid 1 goals; def DUBBO DEMONS 2.4 (16) Ryan Woolfe 1, Matthew Campbell 1 goal.