AFTER the intensity of a grand final replay and an upset win a week earlier over Orange, the Bathurst Bushrangers must have felt like they were on another planet on Saturday in their Central West AFL clash against Dubbo.
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The Demons could muster just one goal for the afternoon at George Park as the Bushies celebrated new club games record holder Brian Matheson in style.
Earlier, Matheson kicked a bagful of goals in Bathurst’s reserve grade demolition of the visitors, before the first-graders flexed their muscle in a 26-21-177 to 1-0-6 annihilation.
The match was effectively over at quarter-time as the hosts got out to a 44-point lead through seven goals.
The Demons’ lone goal came in the second term, but the Bushrangers kicked another 44 and led 88-6 at the main break.
A training drill was about the best outcome they could take from the second half, but after co-coach Brett Archer highlighted some areas they needed to work on even after the Orange game, they were still able to take plenty from the game.
Cameron Richards continued his good form in front of goal with another haul of five, while Pete Grundy made a successful return from injury, kicking four majors.
“It was pretty damp, so the ball got heavy quickly and made it hard at times with skills,” Archer said.
“We knew more or less that it wasn’t going to be a particularly competitive game, so we set ourselves a few goals and we achieved most of them. In games like that you can be a bit sloppy and walk away quite unhappy.
“We were hitting targets, though, and hopefully we went a bit of the way to improving on some of the things we hadn’t been doing so well recently.”
Newcomer Nathan Swards was superb for the home team, having only arrived with the club a few weeks ago from Tasmania.
He finished with three goals and gives the team another valuable option in the middle.
“He was outstanding – he was players’ player and one of the reasons we were so effective in getting the ball out of the middle. He’s basically a defender that we’re trying to play through the centre. He’s big-bodied and had a strong game,” Archer said.
“Nathan Belbin and Pete Grundy both had big games in their return from injury as well, which is a good sign.
“It was nice that on a day where we celebrated one of the club’s favourite players and best ever defenders, we conceded about 17 points all-told across three grades.
“A lot of people were there to watch and help celebrate what Brian has done.”
BATHURST BUSHRANGERS 26-21-177 (Cameron Richards 5, Pete Grundy 4, Nathan Swards 3, Matt Archer 2, Nathan Belbin 2, Ben Horn 2, Michael Long 2, Tom Markey 2, Alex Mills, Sebastian Matheson, Jack Vogan, Matt Griffin) defeated DUBBO DEMONS 1-0-6 (Brendan Ford)