Petty.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That’s how experienced Dubbo campaigner Mick Daly describes the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws as he and the Demons prepare to hit the road for a crucial Central West AFL match on Saturday.
There’s no love lost between the Demons and Outlaws, with much of it stemming from a scheduling decision made in the off-season.
Last year Dubbo hosted the Outlaws twice, largely due to the fact a match in Bathurst was set to be abandoned due to inclement weather.
In turn, the decision was made to have the Demons go to Bathurst twice this season and Daly slammed that decision.
The feeling in Demonsland in the Dubbo club was good enough to make an offer last season and Bathurst gladly accepted and things should have returned to normal this year.
“They kicked up a stink,” Daly said of the Outlaws’ push to have hosting rights twice.
“We have to go there twice this season and that’s really petty.
“So I’m looking forward to getting over there and getting stuck in because there’s a bit of rivalry now and it doesn’t sit well in the group.”
The feeling between the two clubs has given the Demons even more motivation for what is an important match.
The Demons sit fourth on the ladder and are guaranteed finals football but the Dubbo side is yet to beat any side in the top three this season.
Daly, echoing the thoughts of coach Will Bunt, said his side needs a win over one, or more, of either the Outlaws, Orange Tigers or Bushrangers Rebels in the final three rounds to be considered a genuine title threat.
The past few years we probably didn’t have a winning culture but in the last two years we’ve realised we can win.
- Mick Daly
“Obviously it (a win) would be a massive confidence boost but also, in the past few years we probably didn’t have a winning culture but in the last two years we’ve realised we can win.
“If we can win over there and follow it up at Orange the next week that will help that culture in the group and we’ll start to believe in ourselves even more.”
Unavailability, again, is an issue for the Demons this weekend with a host of players, particularly midfielders, set to miss the Outlaws game.
While it could be seen as a blow, Daly said it is just another test of the club’s depth and gives more players a chance to catch the coach’s eye.
Saturday’s match at Bathurst’s George Park No. 1 starts at 2.30pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
