BATHURST Bushrangers Outlaws will travel to face the Dubbo Demons in Central West AFL action tomorrow knowing that their opponents can often find an extra gear at home.
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The Outlaws will still be overwhelming favourites to keep their unbeaten record intact, but won’t be able to afford any quiet periods against the Demons.
The Demons came within 14 points of causing an upset early last season when they hosted the Bushrangers and their two wins last year both came at home.
However, it’s going to take something special to bring down the Bushrangers outfit, overflowing with confidence following a 192-point hiding of the Bathurst Giants.
The Outlaws also have their sister Rebels side sitting ahead of them on top of the table, so bragging rights will be a great motivator.
Outlaws co-coach Brett Archer said his team have looked the goods after three rounds, but have to be wary of the Demons at home.
“I think we’re going even better than expected. We don’t really know much about what other teams will be putting on the paddock, so we just tend to focus on what we’re able to do,” he said.
“The last couple of years Dubbo have always put up a good fight at home and by no means will we be going there and taking them lightly. No doubt they’ll have a couple of guys out of retirement to play.”
Archer’s side are yet to allow a team to kick four goals against them in a quarter and it’s a defensive record to be proud of.
Even coming off such a big win there’s plenty of room for improvement, Archer said.
“I think the guys probably came off the field still a little disappointed after the [Giants] game. We still weren’t hitting a few targets and we’ve worked on getting the ball to the forward line better,” he said.
“Daniel Lacey has been really great for us this year. Matt Luther, Peter Vickers and the backline have really stepped up. Our midfield is our strong point at the moment with Peter Grundy and Bill Watterson really helping to set the game up for us.”
The Bushrangers will be without the support of Tom Galloway, who is expected to be out for at least two weeks nursing a hamstring injury.
Adrian Hickey is unavailable for the game, but the Outlaws get a big boost with Seb Matheson returning to the squad.
The match is a twilight fixture at South Dubbo Oval with the game set to start under lights from 5pm tomorrow.
