The Dubbo Demons have been given a stark reminder of what’s required to end the dominance of the Bathurst Bushrangers in the Central West AFL women’s competition.
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The Bushranger have been as close to untouchable as a team can be in recent years, winning the past two titles and losing just once between the start of the 2015 season and now.
The Demons pushed them as hard as any team late in the regular season, going down by just four points, but the Dubbo side was no match for the minor premiers in Saturday’s major semi-final.
Dubbo came out pretty hard, so to win like we did was unexpected.
- Bathurst captain Tori Whitla
In a match many expected to be a tight tussle, the Lady Bushrangers made a statement with a 12.9.81 to 1.0.6 win.
Making the loss more disappointing for the Demons was the fact the sole goal came in the final quarter when the game was already well and truly over.
“It was a little bit unexpected, but I was pretty stoked with the result. We had a game plan and we came out and stuck to that game plan and it paid off,” Lady Bushrangers skipper Tori Whitla said.
“Dubbo came out pretty hard, so to win like we did was unexpected. We turned around and looked at the scoreboard at the final siren and thought ‘Oh wow’.
The opening term saw Bathurst able to absorb the early fight shown by the visiting Dubbo side, booting three straight majors for an 18-point lead.
Scoring was tighter in the second quarter, but with a 32-point lead at the main break, Bathurst was on track for its 14th consecutive win.
Dubbo did finally impact the scoreboard in the last quarter, but Bathurst still emerged with a commanding victory.
The Bushrangers are now into the grand final while the Demons, after finishing second, take on the Orange Tigerettes in next weekend’s preliminary final.
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.
