FOR the second consecutive year the Orange Tigers will host the Central West AFL grand final, in two week's time, after a first quarter ambush inspired the Orange side to a comfortable victory over Bathurst in the major semi-final on Saturday, at Country Club Oval.
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Orange emerged 15.21 (111) to 11.10 (76) winners and most of the damage was done early.
The Tigers blew the Bushrangers off the paddock in the first quarter to lead by 26 at the first break, never relinquishing their lead and ultimately earning an easy 35-point win, claiming the first spot in the grand final in the process.
Hosting the grand final in two weeks substantially improves Orange's already strong hopes of becoming the first Tigers team to claim three straight flags, a fact not lost on dual-title-winning coach Nathan Pearce.
"There is a lot of benefits in it, from club and team perspectives," Pearce said.
"We play our game plans really well on our oval, we know our field, and we don't have to travel. All those kinds of things in terms of the game, but then we also get the revenue and that type of thing for the club.
"We're pretty happy to be in a third straight grand final, and to be hosting our second one in a row too."
The Tigers blew the Bushrangers off the paddock in the opening term, shooting out to a 26-point lead at the first break, a buffer which could have been much larger had the home side kicked straight - the Tigers kicked eight behinds in the first quarter, double the number of goals they slotted.
Bathurst could only rein in said lead by two points in the second term, before a 42-point third quarter gave the Tigers an all but unassailable lead of 52 at the final break.
The Bushrangers kicked six majors to Orange's three in the final quarter, but by then the result was all but put to bed.
"I actually think we wasted a lot of opportunities, to kick 15 goals 21 [behinds] probably isn't ideal," Pearce said.
"But we're in a good position. I was very impressed with our midfield, and our backline."
Dale Cameron and Tim Barry each kicked four goals for the Tigers, while Mitch McKenna and Dave Ternes in particular earned praise from Pearce.