It’s not the grand final match-up the Dubbo Demons expected, but nothing has changed in the build-up to Saturday’s Central West decider clash with the Bathurst Giants.
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Co-captain Caroline McGrath admitted after her side’s surprise major semi-final win over the Bathurst Bushrangers they started planning for a rematch on the biggest day of the season.
However, the Bushrangers suffered an upset loss to the Giants in the preliminary final, meaning a new name will go on the silverware this year.
Getting their name on the trophy, even when the Bushrangers were marching towards the minor premiership with just one loss to their name, was something the Demons always thought they were capable of.
“We beat the Bushrangers in the first or second game of the year so really from the start we thought we had a chance if we put it all together,” McGrath said.
“We had new players this year and young players who have developed and then in the first final when we beat the Bushrangers again it felt good and we really thought we could do it again in the final.”
However the Bushrangers loss to the Giants makes it a grand final few expected.
“It was a shock. We were getting ready for a rematch but it’s a pleasant surprise,” McGrath added.
The Demons were beaten in last year’s grand final by the Bushrangers and many of the players from that side will be in action again on Saturday and they’ll be gunning to come out all guns blazing.
“We’re going to go hard and the key will be that first 10 or 15 minutes,” McGrath said,
“Getting on the scoreboard first and then not going away from our game. We just want to stay cool, calm, and collected.”
To ensure the Demons do start the better, players like McGrath will be key.
While Lauren Hazell and Emily Warner have hogged all the headlines in recent years, they have been joined as standouts in the side by a number of others this season.
The lively McGrath provides plenty of energy in the midfielder while teenager Elousie Hiller-Stanbrook has developed into a vital figure in the ruck.
“It’s a big challenge,” McGrath said of winning the midfield and moving the ball forward.
“Last few weeks we’ve really started getting it together and Elouise has played really well and the midfield has worked well also.
“If we can win the ball out of there then we’ve got total confidence in our forwards.”
Rightly so, as well, with Hazell booting a competition-best 56 goals this season while Warner is second with 25.
Danita Laine is the Giants’ leading goal-scorer, having booted 19 this year.
Saturday’s grand final starts at 12.30pm, at Bathurst’s George Park.
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.
