AUSTRALIAN RULES
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A DOMINANT third quarter from the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws saw them post a 14-12-96 to 11-6-72 win over club-mates Rebels in Saturday’s inaugural all-Bushrangers Central West AFL derby at George Park.
With the Central West AFL running just one senior grade this year instead of separate first and reserves competitions, the Bushrangers had the personnel to field a pair of teams – the Outlaws and Rebels.
A club draft was used to try and make the two sides as evenly matched as possible and what played out on Saturday showed that was the case.
With Bushrangers bragging rights on the line, as well as second spot on the ladder, the Rebels appeared to be on the path to victory as they led at quarter-time and half-time.
But the Outlaws scored 33 points to one in the third term to set up an impressive come from behind victory.
It was a recovery that Outlaws co-coach Brett Archer believed came about thanks to the increased pressure his side applied in the midfield.
“The third quarter was brilliant for us. They got off to a flying start and it really wasn’t until about half way through the second quarter that we started to make inroads. At one point there we were down by over 20 points,” he said.
“The were beating us all over the park, all of their guys were very keen. I think it was our midfield and our experience there that started to get us back in it, with guys like Peter Grundy, Bill Watterson and Matt Archer. Campbell Martin, our ruckman, had an excellent game.
“It was with five to 10 minutes to go when Bill Watterson kicked one from 65 metres out that really lifted us and got us home.”
Archer said the Rebels were difficult to contain, especially in the air.
“Their bigs like Jack Vogan, Steve Grundy and Harry Bowden did a lot of the heavy lifting for them. It was very hard for us to number up on those guys. I don’t think Tom Markey lost a contest and Kaleb Crowhurst was very good,” he said.
“It was a very subdued celebration. The way I look at it, it’s two strong teams playing each other and disappointing that one of them has to lose.”
The even contest that was anticipated unfolded in the opening quarter as the Rebels only just outscored their rivals 4-1-25 to 3-2-20.
Rebels threatened to run away with the game in the second quarter before their sister side lifted somewhat to trail by 10 points at half-time, the scoreboard reading 8-2-50 to 6-4-40.
But it was in the third term when the Outlaws really found the spark they needed.
They restricted the Rebels to just a single behind while booting five goals and three minors in a dominant display.
That gave them an 11-7-73 to 8-3-51 lead and from there they went on to close out the game.
Rebels’ Vogan was the game’s leading goal kicker with four to his name.
Tom Galloway was named best on ground for the Outlaws, while Matt Griffin earned the same honour for the Rebels.
“We let them back into the game when we had the momentum. When they had it, they used it much better than we did,” Rebels co-coach Tom Regan said.
“Harry Bowden was winning his taps and we were winning the midfield contests. It wasn’t until their midfield switched on and realised where his taps were going that they started to turn it around.”
Regan said the evenness of match, outside of a single quarter of the game, is great for the competition.
“Even though you’re playing against your mates, it didn’t make anyone go in soft or half-hearted and it’s good to know that if you get a dodgy hit on someone that there’s nothing intentional about it. They’re always there to help you up and will still be up for a beer with you after the game,” he said.
“As a club we won. I think it really showed our dominance in the league and it sends a message to the rest of the Central West competition that we’ve split our teams evenly and haven’t just tried to boost one side.”
BATHURST BUSHRANGERS OUTLAWS 14-12-96 (Tom Galloway 2, Josh Coyte 2, Bill Watterson 2, Alex Mills 2, Jordan Price, John Ellis, Casey White, Cameron Richards, Andrew Brown, Matt Archer) defeated BATHURST BUSHRANGERS REBELS 11-6-72 (Jack Vogan 4, James Rigby 2, Matt Griffin 2, Michael Phillips, Shaun Noyen, Tom Regan)