The Dubbo Demons are taking a "a lot of confidence out of round one" of the AFL Central West season, after they fell by just 21 points against heavyweights the Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels.
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The Demons out-scored the Rebels in three out of four quarters on Saturday at George Park, and led 1.3-9 to 0.5-5 at the end of the first term.
But a lapse in the second quarter cost them the game as the Rebels slotted eight unanswered goals to lead 8-5-53 to 3-3-21 at the main break.
It was an unassailable lead, and the Rebels ran out 13-8-86 to 9-11-65 victors.
But Demons centre half-forward Bevan Charlton-White said the club was "on the right track".
"I felt like it was one of our best games in terms of our tackling. I feel like we did put them under a lot of pressure all around the ground," he said.
"We played some really good patches but ... that second quarter was a really bad patch.
"It was a bit of a lapse where they started to get on top of us around in the centre, and a couple of quick entries that we weren't able to defend and they made it count.
"To keep them goalless in the first quarter, I know we only kicked the one ourselves, but that's exactly the type of effort we need to bring for more sustained periods.
"If we can do that, then we'll jump up and we really will become one of the top sides."
Charlton-White was prolific up front for the visitors, scoring 37 points single-handedly including six of the Demons' nine majors.
"I was just lucky that a couple of the marks stuck, and I was able to have a couple of shots on goal," Charlton-White said.
Chris Bell (2.0-12) and Ben Madigan (1.4-10) also contributed in spades, with Charlton-White crediting them, and Mitchell McKechnie, for "their pressure around the ball".
Ben Madigan was "rock solid" at the back in his return for the Demons, with Charlton-White saying "they certainly would have scored a lot more if it wasn't for his presence".
Unfortunately for the Demons, Rebels co-coach Matt Archer was prolific, scoring 7.1-43.
"It was a tough, physical game," Archer said.
"It's probably the strongest I've seen Dubbo travel in quite some time.
They came out of the gates strongly and they didn't let us get into any rhythm."
"We actually played quite well as a team," Charlton-White said.
"We felt like we've got a much stronger side but you don't really know until you play the top sides so to fall 20 points short over there in Bathurst is a good effort.
"It's just disappointing that we weren't able to go on and get the win but I suppose it just shows that we are heading in the right direction."
In a moving tribute to former Orange Tiger Chris Rothnie - who took his life in February - the Demons wore his #16 on their wrists throughout Saturday's clash.
"Beautiful gesture by the Dubbo Demons today," Michael Rothnie wrote on the Orange Tigers' Facebook page, after receiving a photo of their tribute.
"More than just a game!"