The players' player vote on Saturday showed all you need to know about the Dubbo Demons' performance in the win over the Bathurst Giants.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
When coach Steve Smith went through the votes 14 of the 19 squad members who played had received a vote.
"I think the winner only got two votes," Smith said.
On a cold, wet and miserable Saturday afternoon at South Dubbo Oval the Demons produced an outstanding all-round performance to down the Giants 9.14.86 to 7.7.49.
"To win in those conditions was sensational," Smith said.
"Wet weather footy is completely different and it's all about moving it forward and kicking it long and that's what we did.
The result made it two-from-two to start the season and while that might not seem like much it's a real change for a Dubbo club which has for so long battled inconsistency.
Club president Joe Knagge went trawling through the archives post-game to find the last time the Demons had started a season with back-to-back wins.
And while such a strong start, one which has them in a share of top spot with Bathurst Bushrangers, is extremely pleasing it's the way the new-look Demons side has come together so quickly which stands out to Smith.
"In two games we've had nine blokes make their debut for the Demons so I'm absolutely rapt about that and on the weekend we had three guys play their first ever game of AFL," the coach said.
"The captain [Bevan Charlton-White] and I have been texting about how good the energy around is.
"We've had good numbers and there were guys who had to miss out on the weekend and that's tough but everyone knows no one is gifted a spot.
Many of the side's new faces have been bringing their A-game early in the year.
While it was a strong performance all over the park there were some players singled out by their coach and none more so than Bill Ormonde.
"He's one of the most skillful and talented players I've seen and that's something," Smith, a vastly experienced coach, said.
"He's got some of the cleanest hands I've seen. Other players were slipping around with the ball like it was a piece of soap but he's just swoop in and take it.
"He was unselfish as well. He was playing off the half-back line and that's not his usual position but he did it for the team."
Irishmen Nevin O'Donnell and Dara McVeety also continued their strong start to life at the Demons while Charlton-White, Mick Daly, and debutant Mick Smith also impressed.
The Demons play Orange next weekend.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS AND SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...