Clashes with the bottom-placed Bathurst Giants and mid-table Parkes Panthers may not seem like make-or-break matches but but that’s how the Dubbo Demons are approaching the next two rounds.
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Back-to-back losses has seen the Demons slip to fifth on the Central West AFL ladder and with just five rounds remaining co-coach Will Bunt knows his side need to rediscover that winning feeling.
The Demons head to Bathurst on Saturday to take on a Giants side with just one win to their name but Bunt said the match, and the following week against fourth-placed Parkes, is of vital importance.
“We’ve got to win most of our last five games now to be really there and Parkes next week will be a really big one,” he said.
“I think we’ve got a bit of an easier run home than Parkes but no matches have been easy this season, as the results have shown.
“But if we can hit a bit of form this weekend and then take that into Parkes it will be a big couple of weeks for us and I think these two weeks could determine whether we play finals or not.”
While training has been an issue again this week due to ground closures, the Demons had what Bunt described as a “positive” session on Thursday night and the side has been boosted by the return of Nick O’Sullivan, Tom Budd, Malachi Dutschke and Brendon Garlett.
Bunt was pleased with the side chosen with it appearing a much more formidable one than the team which lost two the Bathurst Bushranger Outlaws and the Orange Tigers recently.
While the Demons head to Bathurst in a strong state of mind, there is no doubt the Giants will be up for the clash.
The club was only created during the off-season and last weekend they won their first ever match, a thrilling four-point win over the Young Saints.
“We need to hit form and this weekend is a good chance but they’ll be fairly confident,” Bunt said of the Giants.
“That’s good for them as a club and they could get on a bit of a roll now but I just hope it doesn’t happen this weekend.”
Garlett will be key up front again while O’Sullivan and Jono Naden are expected to do much of the running in midfield.
The game itself was in some doubt during the week due to the surface of the George Park Ovals in Bathurst and the Demons had even offered to host the matches instead.
But on Friday morning the Bathurst grounds were given the all clear, however there have been some changes in starting times.
The Demons senior side will take on the Giants from 12pm at George Park No. 2 while the women’s side will play nextdoor at No. 1 Oval from 12.15pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
