HOSTING the 2016 Central West AFL grand final – it’s the goal all clubs aspire to at the start of and during the season, but the battle for this year’s hosting rights has been trimmed to two, until Saturday.
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On Saturday the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws and Cowra Blues will square off in the major semi-final with the victor earning not only a direct path to the decider, but a home ground advantage for that match.
Outlaws coach Brett Archer would love for his men to snare those prizes and importantly, they will hold the home ground advantage this Saturday.
Both the minor semi-final between Bushrangers Rebels and Dubbo Demons and the major semi-final will be played at George Park 2.
“I am glad we are playing here and not in Cowra, home ground counts for a lot actually,” Archer said.
The Outlaws and Blues have only met once this season as the second scheduled fixture was declared a wash-out.
That game came on May 7 at Cowra’s Mulyan Oval, with the hosts hanging on for a narrow 14-13-97 to 14-10-94.
The Outlaws side has not lost since then and went on to claim the minor premiership. Archer’s men boast both the most potent attack and best defensive record as well.
Cowra ran second in the minor premiership, tasting defeat just twice to earn a spot in the first grand final qualifier.
“It’s hard to gauge the difference between our teams and where we are at not having played each other for so long,” Archer said.
“I’ve seen them play a couple of times since that game and I know they have got a couple of key players back and are looking pretty sharp. It could end up being a pretty good game.
“We do both have experienced players and experience absolutely counts, a lot of factors come into it. We know they’re a good side and will put a good team on the ground.”
As for what line-up the Outlaws will opt for, Archer knows he and his senior leadership team have some tough decisions to make.
“I’d say a lot of our guys are in form now, they are probably playing their best football – you have got Nathan Swards, Campbell Martin and even Matty [Archer], he is top form as well,” the coach said.
“The other guys who are on the edge of selection are playing good football too, it’s going to be interesting with selections.”
First bounce is at 2.30pm.
