A SPIRITED fourth quarter has seen the Orange Tigers maintain their unbeaten status in the Central West AFL with a 17-point win over defending premiers Dubbo Demons.

Scores were locked at 8.6 (54) at three-quarter time, with Dubbo then kicking two quick goals in the final term at South Dubbo Oval.

But the Tigers rallied to kick four goals of their own and keep the Demons scoreless for the remainder to record a 12.11 (83) to 10.6 (66) victory over the 2007 premiers.

That makes it the second straight week the Tigers have disposed of a 2007 grand finalist after they beat Bathurst last Saturday.

It is also a rare win for the Tigers in Dubbo, as the Demons have built up a daunting reputation as strong performers at home.

“It’s a huge effort to come here and win,” Tigers coach Craig Donaldson said.

“It was a team effort. Everyone put in and everyone had to.”

Key defender Phil Donato pulled out just before the game with illness and things got worse in the first quarter when a collision between Clint Grambeau and Demons forward Greg Richter left the Tigers’ big man with concussion.

Richter went on to kick five of Dubbo’s 10 goals but the Tigers dug in to finish well and record the win, which sees them head into the general bye with a 3-0 record.

Dubbo started stronger, holding a 21-point lead at quarter-time.

Orange closed Dubbo’s lead to just five points at half-time and levelled it up at the final change before kicking four fourth-quarter goals to snatch the result.

Makeshift forward Andrew McIntyre performed well, booting three goals, while full-forward Nic Freedman also contributed a treble.

Donaldson is ecstatic his team head into the general bye undefeated, although he is wary the Tigers still have to face Parkes and Cowra, who they will meet away at Mulyan Oval.

“It’s a huge start to the season. I thought it was important to go 3-0 before the break and I think the break will do us some good,” Donaldson said.

“We’ve still got Parkes of course, which will be a challenge, and Cowra. I’m looking forward to the Cowra game away.”

Cowra scored a 72-point win over Parkes on Saturday at North Parkes Oval, while Bathurst demolished Young by 177 points to sit in second spot on the CWAFL ladder.