DON’T dismiss the Outlaws.
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That is the message from the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws captain Tim Hunter, who’s side is not enjoying the sort of dominance it is use to in the Central West AFL.
A team that is used to battling for the minor premiership at this time of year, the Outlaws will go into this Saturday’s match against the Bathurst Giants sitting in fourth spot on the ladder and still not assured of finals football.
But Hunter still has faith the defending premiers can once again challenge for the title.
“Yeah we’ve had our ups and downs, but we are still quietly confident that if we can get our right team on the paddock, we can still give it a fair run,” Hunter said.
“We can’t be too worried about what other teams are doing, we know that when we do play our best footy that it is good enough and we are sticking to that.
“We are eight points behind the Giants, but if we get a win this week that shortens the gap. We’ve just got to keep looking to improve our own game.”
Currently fifth placed Dubbo are eight points behind the Outlaws, a gap which equates to two wins. The Bushrangers outfit also has a far superior percentage with six rounds remaining.
It is a handy buffer, but Hunter knows his side needs to keep building. It is important not only to see Outlaws remain in the top four, but in terms of confidence.
“Obviously winning is important, but we are still confident that, come the end of the season if we are around the mark, we can still give it a good shake,” the talented full forward said.
“The back end of the season is always important – especially with the closeness of the season – but also for us to get a little bit of momentum building, that’s always important as well.
“The club won the premiership last year so we knew everyone was going to be out to beat us.”
The Giants – one of this season’s big improvers – is one of the teams to have enjoyed success against the Outlaws this season.
In round six the Bushrangers outfit led at quarter-time, but the Giants rallied to post a 13-11-89 to 7-8-50 victory.
“Obviously they’ve done some recruiting and that, mixed in with their talented juniors, they’ve had a really good season. They are sitting in a really healthy spot for this time of the season,” Hunter said.
“They’ve got a really strong side this year, but hopefully we can bring our best footy and knock them off.
“It just shows just how much more even the comp is now as well. It hasn’t been a dominant year for either of our sides, but in a way I think that’s a positive for the league. All the teams are around the mark, even Parkes who haven’t had too many wins, they’re competitive.
“It should be a good game, we are looking forward to it, we got beat by the Rebels last weekend which always hurts, but we are ready to bounce back.”
Opening bounce is at 2.30pm on Saturday at George Park 1.
