In the words of Bathurst Bushrangers Rebels co-coach Tim Hunter his side's last two defeats at the hands of the Orange Tigers have been "heart-breaking" and considering one of those was on AFL Central West grand final day last year, there's a burning desire for redemption among his troops.
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Although the Bushrangers club largely mixed their two 2018 sides up ahead of this year's season, a handful of this year's Rebels were in the side that was beaten by Orange in last year's grand final, the Tigers overcoming a 27-point three-quarter-time deficit to win by three.
They were all there in round three of this year too, when the Tigers fired in the final term to sink the Rebels again, an Andrew Nelson goal with 20 seconds left snatching a one-point victory for the Orange outfit.
Against a side like Orange... one bad quarter will cost you the game.
- Bushrangers Rebels co-coach Tim Hunter
Hunter's Rebels have their chance for redemption at Bathurst's George Park, the scene of that decider defeat, this weekend and with the league lead up for grabs too the round nine clash is made all the more tantalising.
"The last time we played them over there was heart-breaking for us, it was a very close game, really good game," Hunter said.
"It's always tough to lose like that, but we hadn't played that well in the last quarter. I know it was the last kick, but a lot of things led up to it."
What Hunter said those two defeats highlight is the Rebels' need to consistently compete across all four quarters and while he admits those efforts can be elusive, he's hoping the motivation of knocking the Tigers off at home will be enough for his troops.
"I think we just need a full four-quarter effort. That's probably the one thing we've struggled with, it always seems that we haven't played great in at least one quarter," he said.
"Against a side like Orange you just can't afford to do that, one bad quarter will cost you the game.
"Even half a bad quarter can hurt, they're a really quality team.
"If we can play our brand of footy for four quarters, I think we'll be there or thereabouts.
"It will be a test for us, they will come over ready and raring to go and keen to keep that top spot."
The Rebels have the benefit of momentum too after claiming a 10-point win over their Outlaws clubmates last weekend, while the Tigers didn't take the field thanks to Cowra forfeiting.
First bounce at George Park is at 2.30pm.
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