Played at Mulyan Oval, seasons were on the line for both teams and despite a 10 goal performance from Dubbo's full-forward Terry Lyons the Blues held on to win off the back of two strong opening quarters.

Blues coach Steve Boyd said overall he was happy with Cowra's performance.

"It was a good team effort, my key guys Dave Manning and Frank Bright were really good.

"Overall it was pretty good," Boyd said.

Boyd made it clear that his team can't afford to "slacken off" this weekend against Bathurst.

"I think the boys would of learnt a lot today. You only need one or two guys to stop doing their job and you get that domino effect which can really hurt in AFL," Boyd said.

"But we steadied the ship in the fourth and I was happy with that."

Cowra shot out to a commanding lead in the opening quarter, ahead 38-6. Frank Bright's crisply struck left-footer at the end of the quarter sent the hosts into the second stanza with plenty of momentum.

Daniel Wallace got the Blues off on the same foot with two quick maximums followed by goals to Nathan Worth and Shannon Lee which continued Cowra's dominance.

Lyons grabbed three for the quarter to keep the Demons in the hunt but it was Cowra that went in at half-time 71-26.

A rejuvenated Dubbo outfit looked a different team in the third quarter with Lyons radar not missing a thing up front.

The Demons kicked four goals to three for the quarter to give the Blues a scare heading into the final period.

With the Blues becoming frustrated their mid-field held strong and kept the ball moving forward through the likes of Manning, Bright and Brendan Reid who continually fed Wallace, Worth and Corey Kennedy plenty of ball.

Mick McVey kicked a goal mid-way through the fourth which ended any hopes Dubbo had of a comeback taking the lead beyond 40.

Despite Lyons 10th goal the Blues ran out victorious 116-72.

Dubbo's 10 goal-scorer Terry Lyons praised Cowra's efforts.

"They [Cowra] are a class act in the mid-field. Dave Manning and Franky Bright killed us, we don't have guys that can run with them," Lyons said.

"On our front that's the most heart we've shown and it's our best performance so I'm happy."

He was also impressed with his own efforts.

"It's a personal best for me in first grade, I copped a bit of stick off the Cowra boys. I've been playing them for 25 years so it's about time," Lyons laughed.

The Blues now will head to Bathurst to take on the Bushrangers who got thumped by the Orange Tigers 150-49.

A few injury scares will have to be watched during the week but Boyd said he is looking forward to the trip.

"We got a couple of injury scares so we will see how they go during the week," Boyd said.

"But we will look forward to Bathurst who will be hard but we're going to be up for the challenge."

Cowra Blues 6.2, 11.5, 14.7, 18.8 (116) defeated Dubbo Demons 1.0, 4.2, 8.3, 11.6 (72).