The Dubbo Demons have been firmly camped in the Central West AFL’s top two all season and have been one of the competition’s best sides up to this point.
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Therefore, it might seem strange to say this is a team still in the development stage and one which hasn’t produced it’s best yet.
But that’s the case for the Demons women, with the weekend’s win at Orange the latest example of the side’s ongoing improvement.
Dubbo’s fitness and individual class shone through at Waratahs Sportsground, the visitors fighting back after a slow start to score a 4.11.35 to 1.3.9 victory.
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The Demons made the trip to Orange with just 13 players, making the win even more impressive.
“They (Orange) had 17 so we played 13-on-13 and it was really good to get the win when they had a bench and we were playing on a full ground the size of the MCG,” Demons co-captain Caroline McGrath said.
“We’ve got six rounds left now and a good run home so we’re hoping to finish strong.”
Finishing strong was exactly what Dubbo did on Saturday.
The Tigerettes, entering the game in fourth spot, shot out of the blocks and began the far better of the two sides.
The hosts booted the first goal of the game and kept the Demons to just two behinds in the opening term.
But the Dubbo side soon began to find its footing.
The second quarter was almost entirely played in Orange territory as the visitors took control and went into the main break leading by 10.
The second half was one-way traffic and a tiring Orange side was kept to just one behind.
Orange midfielder Jacqui Harris admitted her side was second best on Saturday.
“Dubbo, despite having less numbers than us, were much fitter. They were running rings around us and legwork was much better,” she said.
Emily Warner, the competition’s reigning best and fairest winner, was again immense for the Demons and booted three goals but it was some of the side’s newer players who also stood up.
McGrath singled out Ange Harley and Elouise Stanbrook as two played a key role in midfield.
“They really stepped up in midfield where they were playing alongside Em and myself,” McGrath said.
“We’re still building with those few girls who haven’t played a lot before and they’re getting better and better every week.
“We’ve had a few out for different reasons lately but we should start getting every back.
“We’re all just really happy with the effort and we want to keep marching on towards finals.”
The Demons remain second, one win behind the Bathurst Bushrangers, while they sit in front of Bathurst Giants on quotient alone.
The Demons have a golden chance to maintain that spot this weekend when they play host to the winless Parkes Panthers.
While pleased with the side’s development, McGrath stated there will be some goal-shooting practice this weekend after managing just four majors at Orange.
- DUBBO DEMONS 4.11.35 (Emily Warner 3, Alicia Clark goals) def ORANGE TIGERETTES 1.3.9 (Alayne White goal)
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.
