Dubbo Demons score AFL Central West win over Bathurst Bushrangers

The side has done a huge amount of work on the training paddock under new coach Terry Lyons this season and they were rewarded on the weekend with a commanding 38-point win at South Dubbo Oval.

After some wayward kicking early on a strong third quarter was key and it helped the Demons to a hugely satisfying 12.18.90 to 8.4.52 win.

"With all the hard work and it not paying off in the first six rounds there was an excitement about the weekend," Lyons said.

"There was just a feeling that something was going to change soon and it's what we've been building towards.

"The guys just stuck to the game-plan. It's not a grand final or anything but it had that feel for us because of the amount of effort we'd put in without a result so far."

READ ALSO:

- Macquarie 'ecstatic' after Crain's long-range screamer highlights derby draw

- Orange relying on hometown support to keep Astley Cup dream alive

- 'Nothing to panic about': Raiders slip from top three but effort is a positive

It was a big day for the Demons as the women's side cemented its place in the top two with another dominant win.

The Demons women ran out 8.8.56 to 1.3.9 winners over the Bushrangers to remain two wins off the ladder-leading Bathurst Giants.

"The girls have been working hard as well," Lyons said.

"They had a few back on the weekend and it showed, they were strong all over the park."

The men's Tier 2 side couldn't make it a perfect three-from-three as they suffered a narrow nine-point loss to the Bushrangers.

In the Tier 1 match the Demons began the better but couldn't make it count on the scoreboard.

They led at the half-time break but allowed the Bushrangers managed to stay in the contest courtesy of some strong defensive efforts while the Demons also lacked a little accuracy.

"At half-time I think there was less than two goals in it but that's when we were 4.14," Lyons said.

"We had a lot of the play but we couldn't put it on the scoreboard and that was through their pressure and, I've said many times, they're a benchmark in the league.

"The third quarter was where we made some changes up forward and it paid off straight away."

Josh Anasis and Dylan Fairall were again strong in the forwards and the former kicked a game-high three goals while Isaac Heath and Bevan Charlton-White each chimed in with two majors.

Lyons also singled out the hard-working Tom Skinner for praise, saying he was "rucking all game, every game" and has taken his performances to another level this season.

"Our backline is working really well too and it's that transition from the back that we've worked hard on," the coach added.

"It was pretty evident on the weekend there was always an option when we were coming out from the backline and that's probably where we've been making too many errors and that kept us out of games but it worked on the weekend."

The Demons have a bye next weekend before a trip to Orange to take on a Tigers side whose only two wins this season have come against Lyons' troops.

It's a contest the coach is looking forward to and he's hopeful Saturday's victorious performance can spur the Demons on.

"Hopefully we can maintain it and get a few more wins up but we are still sitting last so we've still got a lot of work to do," he said.

"I think the boys were a bit surprised with themselves. It's what we've been working towards. Not just the win but playing better footy."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: