It came as a blow to the side’s momentum but the positive was it gave a few niggling injuries the chance to heal and it also gave coach Will Bunt to work on his side’s skills.

As well as that, Bunt continued to hammer his team about the importance of a consistent display over four quarters.

“We’re really close,” Bunt said when speaking of how far off its best his side is.

“We’ve shown what we can do but it’s about consistency for us.

“We started well but finished badly against the (Bathurst) Giants while we were poor in the middle but finished really well in round one against Cowra.

“It’s about getting that consistency through four quarters. We’re as good as anyone when we’re playing consistently.”

The Demons meet the Orange Tigers at South Dubbo Oval on Saturday, a side which has recovered from an opening round loss to score back-to-back wins.

With Josh Bubnich back in the side and some players, the likes of Brent Tucker, having made the move from the disbanded Parkes Panthers, things are looking more rosy in Orange than they were last season when the Tigers missed the finals.

“They’ll be a good side. We’re not expecting an easy game, even at home,” Bunt said.

“They’re tracking similar to us with the sides they’ve beaten and they’re a pretty tall side too, where we’re not.”

Working in Dubbo’s favour is the chance of rain falling on Saturday afternoon, with the Demons having proved last season poor conditions barely phase them and the gameplan.

Brendan Garlett and Ben Patterson also return for Dubbo this weekend in a further boost but the forward line is weakened by the absence of both Terry Lyons and Bailey Delaney, who sits third in the leading goalkickers column.

The Demons women will also be in action against Orange from 12.45pm at South Dubbo Oval on Saturday with the men’s match following at 2.30pm.