When the final siren went on Saturday, you could see how much the Orange Tigers' win meant to them.
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With the Bushrangers long-reigning as the top side in the AFL Central West, the Tigers' 5.4-34 to 2.10-13 win was a sign the Tigers were beginning to pull it all together at the right time of the season.
The Tigers dominated from the first bounce as they kept the ball forward most of the first quarter, keeping the Bushrangers scoreless in the opening stanza, and had a seven-point lead at half time which could have been more.
Emma Clark kicked two for the hosts, while an electric Erin Naden also added a goal to her superb work through the middle of the ground.
It's given us a huge confidence boost.
- Tigers midfielder Jacqui Ryan
For Tigers midfielder Jacqui Ryan, the pieces finally fell into place.
"We had the best on field communication out of all our games this season which allowed us to create space and transition the ball well," she said.
"We trusted each another to just do our own jobs which payed off.
"Having high attendance at training this season has also made a noticeable difference to our skills and footy brain."
The win puts the side into third on the ladder with just two rounds left, with two tough clashes against the Giants this weekend and against Dubbo away in the final round.
"Everyone, [coach] Ben [Cullis] included, were so excited and proud that our hard work at training had finally paid off," Ryan said.
"It's given us a huge confidence boost, especially coming up to the last two rounds against Giants and Dubbo which will be tough matches."
"We're all well aware of the battle ahead."
Having skipper Jem Neuman back in the midfield was crucial for the side after stints forward and back in the last few weeks, while Ryan was impressed with the work of two new first-season players in Lucy Johnston and Cleo Dickie but said the side didn't have a bad player.
The Bushrangers surged back in the last quarter, cutting the 15-point margin back to seven points early, but the Tigers rallied and staved off the charging visitors.
"We were all very nervous coming into the last quarter as Bushies often finish strong, however we were determined to stay composed and keep playing our own game in order to maintain our lead," Ryan said.
"The girls this year have really gelled both on and off the field, we've had a blast."
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