Finals football has been secured for the Dubbo Demons but the side won’t ease off in the final weeks of the regular season, with coach Will Bunt targeting a charge to second spot.
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The Demons eased past the Young Saints by 80 points in Central West AFL on Saturday, despite some wayward kicking, meaning the men in blue and red can't be caught in fourth spot.
With just three rounds remaining the Demons now play the three sides above of them, and Bunt is adamant his side needs results if it is to be a genuine title contender.
After this weekend’s trip to Bathurst to take on the Bushranger Outlaws, the Demons travel to Orange and then finish the regular season at home to the Bushranger Rebels, the current leaders.
“All of our wins this season have come against Young, Cowra and the (Bathurst) Giants. We haven’t beaten a team above us on the ladder,” Bunt said.
“If we want to be taken seriously we need to beat one or two of those teams.
“We need at least one win and it would be nice to go into the finals with some confidence and form.
“We’re there but if we can’t beat these teams leading up to the finals then we won’t beat them in the finals so we can’t rest on our laurels.”
Converting chances in one of the major things Bunt wants his side to improve in the coming weeks.
The Demons booted 17 goals and a massive 19 behinds in Saturday’s 121 to 6.5.41 victory at Young, with a number of players guilty of spurning golden chances.
While it didn’t affecting the final result, the Demons will be put through their paces at training this week to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen against the second-placed Outlaws.
“We’re strong with the ball and creating chances but we’re not converting,” Bunt said.
“It’s been a bit of a bugbear for us all year and it’s good we’re creating those opportunities but we’re not converting and we need to correct that, especially against the top sides.”
The Demons started well at Burrangong Oval on Saturday, playing with plenty of energy but the wastefulness in front of goal began early and the score was 3.6.24 to just 1.0.6 after the first term.
The margin was 43 at half time and the result was virtually assured then and the Demons kept pulling further ahead as the match went on.
Bailey Delaney, back from injury, booted four goals but could have had a bagful more, according to Bunt, while Brendan Garlett also kicked four majors.
Tom Skinner, Trevor Dutschke and Mick Daly all chimed in with two goals each.
While pleased with the team effort, Bunt singled Delaney, Jono Naden, defenders Sam Reichstien and Ben Madigan as well as Damien Barnard and the improving Joey Hedger for individual praise.
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.
