Even a fortnight ago they still looked good for second place and a slight advantage over their semi-final opponent.

But a loss against third-placed Rugby last week has them in a precarious position with just two rounds of matches remaining before the regular season ends.

Heading into their two-day match against Souths, which starts on Saturday, the Blues sit 5.29 points ahead of Rugby in the race for second place, with Newtown a further 6.53 points away in fourth.

With RSL-Colts assured of a grand final place, it means there are three teams battling for two places in the March 17-18 semi-final.

A win against Souths over the next two weekends would guarantee one of those places went to Macquarie, who will go from being the Blues to the Pinks for a good cause.

“We’ll be wearing pink shirts against Souths to help the McGrath Foundation and it’s something we’re looking forward to,” Macquarie skipper Jeremy Dickson said.

“The McGrath Foundation does a great job for breast cancer and we were only too happy to help out.

“On the field this is a big game for us. We can lock up a semi-final place if we win and hopefully that will end up being second place.

“We’ve got Colts in the final round so this game is particularly important for us.”

Souths have been the big disappointments of 2011-12 and will finish ahead of only the struggling CYMS on the ladder.

The loss of key players, including captain Tom Quilter, throughout the season has weakened the side and combined with some narrow losses (and a tie) they haven’t been able to recover.

But Dickson said his side has been told not to underestimate the Hornets.

“John Colwell is in the top few cricketers in Dubbo, as is Tim Berry, and Matt Finlay is very talented as well,” Dickson said.

“Those guys can be match-winners but it just hasn’t happened for them this season.

“They will be a really good test for us over the next couple of weeks, even though they’re not where most people expected them to be on the ladder.

“We’re not reading much into them getting bowled out for 80 last week. They are a side that deserves respect and we will be giving it to them.”