Bathurst Giants fight back but come up short against Dubbo Demons

Giants stepped up their game after heading into the half-time break down by 17 points but the Demons were able to conjure up a response every time the visitors scored, holding on for a 11-9-75 to 9-12-66 victory at South Dubbo Oval.

The result wasn't a shock to the system of Giants coach Mark Kennedy because his side lost.

It was a shock because his understrength side were able to make such a quality game out of their trip.

"It was a good contest. I thought we went over there a little underdone and, to be honest, thought the scoreline would be a bit heavier in Dubbo's favour but the guys who made the trip over there really took on the task," Kennedy said.

"We won both the third and fourth quarters but they were just too far in front.

"We had a number of players out and it's one of the hardest trips for anyone to make in Central West AFL so to come away with just nine points separating us is a really positive result."

Goals weren't easy to come by in the opening quarter - Demons kicked two goals to the Giaints' one - but the game came alive in the next term.

As both clubs found their rhythm in attack the goals began to flow.

Demons made the most of their chances to extend their five-point advantage they had established at the end of the first quarter.

Giants made changes through the middle of the park at half-time and it immediately added fluidity to their attack.

Paul Jenkins not only led the goal tally, with four, but the Giants captain also provided strong direction for the visitors.

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A strong team effort formed behind the efforts of Jenkins and the visitors came close to what would have been a shock win.

The half-time talk and player rotations from Kennedy helped bring the best out of his squad.

"We put Jenko, Dave Manning and Tim French into the centre then played some of the younger guys on the wing, half back and half forward. James Kennedy was winning the taps but we weren't getting the clearances," he said.

"Changing that up seemed to work for us but it just couldn't quite get us over the line.

"Paul Jenkins got player's player and led from the front. James Kennedy was great in the ruck, as was Oscar Mann on the wing, Bailey Brien and Ryan Cooke. Sam Sloan presented well up front and Reilly Mitchell ran all day.

"It's really hard to pick one person out of all of those."

Demons showed signs of rust after their bye week but were pleased with the result.

"We could probably do a lot more better. It wasn't our best outing but a win's a win," Demons' Ben Madigan said.

"We've got to put teams away but you've got to give the Giants credit. We've just got to work on playing each quarter out."

Joseph Hedger led the way for the Demons with three goals.

Aiden Macauley and Nic Broes each kick two goals for Giants while Liam Clarke also scored.