Bathurst have kept their 2008 Central West AFL season alive for at least one more week after a 93-point hammering of the Dubbo Demons in atrocious conditions at George Park on Sunday.
The Bushrangers will play the Orange Tigers this Saturday for the right to challenge the Cowra Blues in the grand final after they thumped the Tigers on Saturday.
A blistering first quarter from the home team set up the 17-17-119 to 3-8-26 thrashing, as the Bushrangers slammed home six unanswered goals to a solitary point from the visitors.
Though they managed to stem the bleeding somewhat through the remainder of the game Dubbo were simply no match for a Bathurst team who at various stages managed to defy the conditions with some clean play and a willingness to run and create space.
The double threat of captain-coach Steve Withers and Leigh Kingwill in the Bushies’ forward 50 put paid to the Demons’ aspirations as they bagged hauls of five and six goals respectively.
After a downpour throughout Sunday morning and two prior games of football on the same surface, George Park was a quagmire by the time the ball went up to start proceedings.
Peter Yandle kicked the first major for the home team after five minutes of play before Kingwill kicked a pair immediately after.
When Withers goaled for Bathurst’s fourth, the signs were ominous for Dubbo.
Jacob Fox and Peter Grundy were both prominent early in the Bathurst midfield and the treacherous conditions didn’t seem to worry them as they kicked long and direct whenever possible, and in many cases ran their taller opponents off their feet.
Some questionable umpiring at times didn’t help Dubbo’s cause but nor did their inability to control their frustrations - giving away repeated free kicks and 50-metre penalties for backchat.
With a 38-point buffer at the first break, the game was as good as over given the state of the playing surface.
Only inaccurate kicking stopped Bathurst from running right through their opposition, kicking 1.11 at one stage in the second term.
It wasn’t until 10 minutes from half-time that Dubbo finally goaled, but the horse had well and truly bolted as Bathurst set up a mouth-watering clash with Orange.
BATHURST 17-17-119
(L Kingwill 6, S Withers 5, S Grundy 2, P Yandle, M Luther, J Fox, R Beaumont)
DUBBO DEMONS 3-8-26
(J Galvin 2, G Richter)
Top effort in trying conditions
Dubbo Demons coach Terry Lyons admits his team didn’t have the ideal preparation before the minor semi-final against Bathurst on the weekend. But he was pleased with the endeavour shown by the squad in trying conditions.
“A few injuries to key players and withdrawal of others shortly before the match for varying reasons upset the preparation a little,” Lyons said.
“But Bathurst adapted quicker to the conditions while we wasted a lot of first quarter opportunities by not playing in front of our half forward line.
“We struggled with our match ups early and they were able to get six goals in the first quarter and with the muddy, wet conditions it was always hard to come back from that.
“The boys went in hard all day with Kim Woodman, Kyie Haley, Noel McGrath, Mick Haley and Stewart Todd standouts. They attacked the ball hard and didn’t give in for the whole game.
“Stephen Howlett and Oliver Custance both did good jobs in defence and Patrick Jackson gave us a good option in our forwards.”
Lyons said a lack of discipline at inconsistent umpire’s decisions cost the Demons several 50m penalties. They also played two men short at one stage from send offs.
The Demons reserve grade also went down to a committed Mudgee Black Swans outfit leaving the Demons’ only hope in their under-14 squad. They have a second chance this weekend after their loss to Orange by two goals.
Lyons is confident they can get over the line this weekend to have another shot at Orange for the Demons first junior premiership since 1987.
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