A lack of fitness and poor execution in wet conditions combined to halt the Dubbo Demons charge towards a winning start in the 2011 Central West AFL competition.
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The Demons suffered a heartbreaking 12.4 (76) - 11.9 (75) loss against the Parkes Panthers at South Dubbo Oval in a match that changed complexion multiple times over the four quarters.
After establishing a 25-point lead at quarter time, the Demons were forced to look on as the Panthers rallied and got themselves into the match and into the lead come the end of the third stanza. A late rally from the home side saw them regain ascendancy with minutes remaining before a late goal by Parkes put them in front for the final time.
A disappointed Demons coach Kim Woodman blamed his side’s fitness for their poor second half which saw them kick 2.6 to their opponents six-straight majors.
“We had eight or 10 guys that will come back into the team but they missed out on this game for various reasons,” Woodman said.
“The guys that played are the guys that have been training but the key thing is we just have to work on our fitness.
“We were up by four or five goals early in the match and after that we really failed to execute and the wet weather didn’t help that because our big forwards aren’t as mobile in those conditions.
Mark Dee and Greg Richter each kicked multiple goals for the home side however, they lacked players able to crumb the ball when it was brought to the ground.
“In the wet we needed guys who could get the ball on the ground because our forwards weren’t going to grab as many marks as they would in the dry,” Woodman said.
“We will learn from Saturday though. We have a break now over Easter but we will still be hitting the track and we will try and be ready for Young in a couple of weeks time.”
Despite the loss, the coach could still find some positives in the form of Doug North, John Card and Clint Hardwick.
“Doug was really good for us in the middle of the park and Clint did a great job as well,” Woodman said.
“He’s only a 16-year-old kid but he had been turning up at training and got his chance and did well.
“John Card was also very good for us. He started in the backline but spent time in the ruck and the midfield so his versatility will be a benefit for us down the track as well.”
