For the Dubbo Demons, when it comes to finals time there's been very few highlights in recent times.
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The women's grand final win in 2018 was one huge standout moment but the following year the side couldn't attract the numbers to defend the title while the men's side hasn't advanced beyond the first of the finals for roughly a decade.
But this weekend, as challenging as it will be, the Demons have the chance to have both the men and women advance to the AFL Central West grand final day.
"It would be massive," Demons men's captain Bevan Charlton-White said.
"It would mean absolutely everything to our club.
"We do have the attitude this is one club and one team and despite there being separate sides we all consider each other sequel.
"To get two through would make it a very good night at the pub afterwards."
While the dream is to have two sides playing for premierships, Charlton-White is all too aware it's far easier said then done.
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Both the men and women head to Bathurst on Saturday with Charlton-White's side tackling the Giants while the women meet the Bushrangers.
The Giants finished above the Demons in second on the ladder while they've also scored two wins over the Dubbo side in the past month.
The most recent of those came just last week, the 32-point victory being the Giants' first win recorded in Dubbo.
"It's all been pretty positive," Charlton-White said of the mood in the camp after last weekend.
"The Giants are heading into the clash as massive favourites. They finished second, they're hosting the game, and they beat us last week so we've got nothing to lose and go over there with little pressure."
We've got nothing to lose and go over there with little pressure.
- Bevan Charlton-White
That kind of feeling doesn't mean the Demons are just lying down ahead of the match. Far from it.
The finals hoodoo is something the club is eager to end while the chance to score a rare win in Bathurst also adds to the motivation.
The Demons are almost full strength as well with only Tom Skinner missing the match through suspension.
Warren Stafford returns in a real boost while Charlton-White is a massive inclusion after missing last weekend after a recurrence of a back injury suffered earlier in the season.
"I'm fine," he fired ahead of Saturday.
As has been the case almost all season for the Demons, they key on Saturday is consistency.
The Dubbo side has produced some brilliant play this season but too often those periods have been followed by a slump which allows opposition sides back into matches.
In recent weeks one or two poor quarters have made all the difference and the captain knows there won't be a chance to rectify it if there's another lapse on Saturday.
"It's just concentration. The mental side of things," he said.
"If there's lapses they (Giants) are a young side and they'll keep running and put us under scoreboard pressure.
"We've just got to get that balance right and at least break even in the middle in that contested possession and clear outs and if we do that then I think we have as much firepower, if not more."
Both games are at George Park with the women at 12.30pm and then men at 2.30pm.
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.
