The Orange Tigers had a massive turnover a players heading into the 2017 Central West AFL season.
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We’re talking massive too, not just a handful of old faces going down the escalator while the new guys waved optimistically on the way up.
There’s a new coach too, Dale Hunter a veteran in black and gold but largely untried in terms of holding on to the clipboard.
So, to even think about a run at the flag in 2017 seemed off limits. Don’t go there, boys.
Let’s lower that bar of expectation a little – a spot in the finals looked to be a great season for the boys from Tigerland – bup bup bup bup.
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But, now, having won three games in a row, dare we dream of an unfurling at Country Club Oval in September?
Absolutely. Why not!
The Tigers have knocked off defending premiers Cowra, a resurgent Bathurst Giants and then, on Saturday, completed a 15.20 (110) to 6.11 (47) win over the Demons in Dubbo – easily the club’s best outing yet.
The Dubbo club, at home, will be one of the toughest assignments in this year’s CWAFL season.
The Dees are tipped to challenge for the premiership.
But based on what we saw on Saturday at South Dubbo Oval, the Demons will be a touch concerned about where they sit in the competition’s pecking order now.
Of course, the Bushrangers sides, the Outlaws and Rebels, will be the two teams to beat this season. They’re one and two on the ladder after four rounds. The Tigers sit third. Dubbo fouth.
That’s the likely top four this season, anyway, and how far the Tigers go come the post season will be enthralling to watch.
If they can get even half of the 20 behinds they kicked in Dubbo a touch straight, they’re a massive shout at a spot in the decider.
Sing it loud, fellas – Oooohhh, weeee’re from ….
GROUP 10
Oberon, deary me. That was bad.
But, on the flip side, Orange CYMS was very, very good in a 50-12 win at Wade Park in a first-versus-third clash that was anything but close.
For me, in 13 years having been part of Group 10 as either a referee or a reporter, the green and golds’ ball movement in that win over Oberon was as slick and impressive as I’ve seen.
Big call, but it was just sublime.
At the start of the season, with both Simon Osborne and Garrett Field in their side, I thought Bathurst Panthers would be a shoo-in for the premier league crown.
But I'm not sure we’ve seen the best of CYMS yet, and that’s a scary thought.
You write off a side with Jeremy Gordon in it at your own peril though – check out what Panthers did to Cowra here.
It’s shaping as a cracking season.
BLOWES CLOTHING CUP
No side needs to have a loss, but I think Emus needed to have a 40-minute period like they did against CSU leading into a tough month of rugby to complete the first round.
It was very scrappy, un-Emus like.
The CSU Bathurst boys tried hard, no doubt about that, but Saturday’s 7-0 scoreline in the second period was as much about how poorly Emus handled the occasion as it was about the students’ ability to stand-up to the premiers.
Lochie Robinson looks a likely fullback, Scott Hatch labeling the students’ fullback rep material post-game. He’s certainly worthy of that tag.
But on Saturday at Endeavour Oval, at 33-0 at half-time, it was there for Emus to go on with, and they didn’t.
So while no side needs a loss, Emus’ campaign will be better for the wobbly 40 minutes they dished up against CSU.
The complacency Nigel Staniforth spoke about after the game will surely be run out of the greens at training this week.