AFL Central West: Bathurst Bushrangers look to end losing run against Dubbo Demons

Bushrangers have effectively secured a major semi-final place already but can make it official if they can find a revenge win over the Demons this weekend.

The Bathurst club find themselves in very unfamiliar territory against the Dubbo club, having lost the past two encounters against them.

Bushies will be chasing some much needed momentum with the finals in sight, although playing on unfamiliar turf adds another element of difficulty.

George Park 2 remains out of play for the Bushrangers as the ground continues to recover from recent heavy downpours.

Bushrangers co-coach Tim Hunter said the extra travel time is welcome as long as it means the team can still get their footy fix.

"We had last weekend and we're off to Parkes this time. It is what it is, but we're just happy to be out there playing footy," he said.

"We'll play wherever we need to. It's not just our ground that's out of action at the moment. There's a couple of others around the area.

"I'm not too sure what condition the Parkes oval is in. Normally it's really good to play on so we'll wait and see what it's like."

Bushrangers lost 90 to 52 against the Demons in June, where the Dubbo men produced one of their most complete performances of the season.

The Bathurst club were then bested 30 to 20 in atrocious conditions, in a game that will be much harder to gleam any useful information from.

One thing that is certain is that the Demons are having a great run of form.

However, Bushrangers have their own reasons to feel confident ahead of the weekend.

Their 87-point trouncing of the Orange Tigers last round saw the Bushrangers getting back to their best football when it mattered most.

What was especially satisfying for the Bushrangers was their consistency over all four quarters of that clash.

Hunter said he expects the Demons' strong form to continue this Saturday, so the test for Bushrangers is whether they can keep them contained from the early stages.

"At this time of year every game is super important regardless of ladder positions. You want to be starting to play your best footy," he said.

"We'll be going over with a pretty solid team. I know Dubbo lost last week to the Giants but they've been in very good form so we'll be expecting a close one.

"This patch that the Demons are in, they're playing some of their best footy of the year. They're a tough side to beat and they're hitting form at the right time of the year.

"From the outside looking in, it looks like they're clicking well. They're playing well as a unit."

Bushrangers still sit three wins clear of the Demons, with a big percentage advantage, but a win on Saturday will ensure the Bathurst side will finish top two.

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