BATHURST Bushrangers Rebels will be heavy favourites for their Central West AFL match this Saturday where they play host to the Parkes Panthers.
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Rebels are back at George Park 2 a week after a 16-point win over cross-city rivals Bathurst Giants and get an opportunity to earn a third straight success.
Panthers remain the only winless side left in the competition after four rounds but have been unlucky not to earn a first victory since their return.
Rebels co-coach Steve Grundy is on alert for a Panthers team starting to find their feet in the competition.
“The result is certainly not a given. Parkes have only re-entered the comp and looking through the results their worst loss has only been by a couple of goals,” he said.
“They’re a good outfit. We’ve played against quite a number of blokes on their team. In the midfield they’ve got Brent Tucker and Jacob Adams in the ruck.
“We definitely won’t take them lightly. There’s a lot of blokes who know their football and they’ve also recruited some new guys. They’re an exciting new team and they’ll only get better.”
Rebels had an up-and-down match against the Giants but toughed out a win thanks to a handful of late majors.
Accuracy in front of goal and strength in the ruck are key for the Rebels in their bid to hold onto their top three position.
They’re an exciting new team and they’ll only get better.
- Steve Grundy
“It was certainly a good win but now that we’ve won that one we put it behind us and move on to next week,” Grundy said.
“We reflect after we have a win but then we’re straight onto the next week. In saying that, we try not to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Kaleb Crowhurst and Pat Edsall are both available for the Rebels in this Saturday’s match.
Rebels play in the second leg of a Bushrangers double at George Park 2, starting their game from 2.30pm.