While the Rebels won the final round match 14-21-105 to 12-5-77 at George Park 1 on Saturday, winning captain Matt Archer said Parkes provided them with a valuable challenge.

It means the Rebels will head into the major semi-final against Orange Tigers on the back of a hard-fought contest.

“Parkes really brought it, it was a really good game and a really good hit-out to have before finals,” Archer said.

“They were tough, they were physical and they really made us work. I honestly don’t know how they’ve only won two games, they’re just incredibly hard to match up with.

“They’re incredible with the contested ball and their midfield was probably the better midfield – they just win so much ball and they use the ball pretty well.”

Things were tight in the opening term as the Rebels opened up an 11-point advantage, but in the second term the hosts held Parkes scoreless. That proved decisive.

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Rebels led by 42 at the long break and while Parkes tried to mount a comeback, the Bushrangers side held their rivals off.

“That first quarter we looked a little bit vulnerable in the back line, Matt Luther wasn’t playing so we looked a bit disorganised. So we chopped and changed a little bit, in the first quarter we used the ball well when we had it, we just weren’t winning enough,” Archer said.

“So we regathered ourselves, composed ourselves, and we got on top.

“That was probably the difference in the end as they came back strong.”

Archer said that Sam Kennedy impressed for the victors after switching from the ruck into the forwards while Michael Long is finding form at the right end of the season.

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