IN recent years the Bathurst Bushrangers versus Orange Tigers clash has been a game to always circle on the calendar but it's a different story in 2020.
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This Saturday sees the Bushrangers meet with the other unbeaten team in the Central West AFL competition, Dubbo Demons, to see who gains the early bragging rights in the men's top tier.
Demons have taken their game to a new level this season as their potent attack have made massive inroads against the Tigers and Bathurst Giants.
Whether that attack can break down the Bushies is a big question.
It won't be an easy trip for the Bushrangers to make but co-coach Matt Archer has plenty of faith in his side to build even further after last round's comprehensive win against the Giants.
"We have confidence in the guys. We're just trying to string a few different things together - the results have just been a bonus for us," he said.
"At this point we're getting it all together and trying to play four good quarters of football. That's something we were able to achieve on the weekend. If we can do that again this weekend then we're going to be there or thereabouts again."
Both clubs carrying three wins and zero losses into the clash at South Dubbo Oval.
Demons beat the Tigers in one of the higher scoring clashes of the season thus far, showing off their scoring prowess.
Archer expects no different this Saturday as the Demons enjoy their third straight clash at home.
- READ MORE: AFL Central West: Bathurst Bushrangers beat Bathurst Giants on back of Tim Hunter and Matt Archer nine-goal effort
- READ MORE: AFL Central West: Archer kicks eight as Bathurst Bushrangers demolish Orange Tigers
- READ ALSO: AFL Central West: Bathurst Lady Bushrangers beat Bathurst Giants for the first time since August 2018
"They're looking like they're playing some good football at the moment. They've always played well but it looks like they've taken that next step this year," he said.
"They've got consistency and depth. It's going to be a challenge over there because they're always strong at home, so it should be a cracker of a game.
"They've often been dangerous up forward and probably even more so now. They've got Bevan [Charlton-White] up there and Josh Anasis kicking goals. They're hard to match up on because they're quite tall and mobile up forward.
"Most other teams you can afford to break even in the midfield but against Dubbo you've got to be dominant there. You have to starve their forwards of the ball. When they get the ball forward the odds are that they're going to kick a goal."
Bushrangers' back six have been a highlight for the team in the early stages of the season.
They've made their opponents work for every entry inside their 50 through the opening rounds, and even with some players missing from that area this weekend Archer expects more of the same against Dubbo.
"We've got a few guys missing so it's a chance for others to step up and have a crack. We're missing Adrian Hickey and Brendon Eggleton will likely be out as well, and their two guys who have been strong in that half back line," he said.
"We have confidence in the guys who will move into that line, Sam Kennedy is probably going to get a run there."