While many chose to write the Dubbo Demons off at the start of the 2016 Central West AFL season, the team themselves were quietly confident of a finals berth and on Saturday they can make it reality.
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A win against Parkes Panthers at South Dubbo Oval would effectively cement them a spot in the top four and keep them in the hunt for a home semi-final.
Demons co-coach Will Bunt has been adamant all season that his side were capable of a top-three finish and nominated this match as an important one.
Dubbo sit in fourth spot, one win clear of the Panthers, with Orange also still within striking distance.
A win for Parkes would bring them level with their opponents and make the run to the finals very interesting.
Bunt is hoping his side can give themselves some breathing room with a victory.
“If we win this one then we move two wins clear and pretty much cement that finals spot. Then we can turn our attention to trying for third,” he said.
“We are only one win behind the [Bathurst Bushrangers] Rebels so if we can get a couple more wins that will make it very interesting.”
Bunt said his team were treating Parkes as a serious threat.
The Panthers have been inconsistent, with some good performances punctuated by heavy losses and a recent forfeit but the Demons were assuming a strong Parkes team would make the trip.
“Parkes beat us here in the first round, then we got them when we travelled to them the second time,” Bunt said.
“They have a big, mobile side and and they really are very good when they get their full team on the paddock.
“They have got guys who work at the mines so you don’t know what their team is going to be like from week to week.”
Instead the Demons will focus on their own preparation and after a full week of training, and coming off a good win against the Rebels, Bunt said his team were ready.
“It’s been good to have a full week of training and our numbers have been really good, I was really impressed,” he said.
“We’ve named a strong side, we are missing Brendan Garlett who is out for a couple of weeks with suspension but otherwise we are looking good.”
After some lean seasons, the Demons feel that 2016 is a step in the right direction and not just for the men’s team.
“The good thing about this season is that if we make the finals, it is because we earned it, not because it is a four-team competition,” he said. “The girls are in a strong spot too. They should make the finals so it would be a great result for the club to get both teams in.”
The match between the Dubbo Demons and Parkes Panthers starts at 2.30pm on Saturday.
