BATHURST Bushrangers Rebels might have already secured the Central West AFL minor premiership going into this Saturday’s final round but they see that as no excuse to take things easy against hosts Dubbo Demons.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both teams are unable to move from their respective positions – first and fourth – but with finals on the horizon Rebels co-coach Steve Grundy said his side want momentum.
“Having the minor premiership is a nice prize for the hard work that the guys have put in so far, but we’ve got to remember that the job is only half done, and there’s a bigger prize for us to go after,” he said.
“It’s a big game for us on the eve of finals. We could end up playing Dubbo in the finals so we want the momentum going in. We might try a few things like playing blokes in different positions but apart from that we’re treating this game like any other.
“We’ve only got a month of football to go so we want to keep that intensity up.”
Demons will be celebrating their 10-year premiership anniversary this Saturday.
“I’m expecting a really great game. They’re a very strong side at home and they always seem to add those extra couple of goals to their score when they’re on their own ground,” Grundy said.
Demons gave the Rebels a good contest towards the end of their only meeting so far this season, which the Bushrangers won 17-17-119 to 11-7-73.
The Bathurst club had built up too much of an early lead to be troubled by the Dubbo men late in the match, but the Demons sent a message with a six-goal final term.
The Rebels have no players inside the seven leading goal-kickers in Central West AFL this season, proving there is talent all over the park.