THE Dubbo Kangaroos meet the Orange City Lions at No 1 Oval tomorrow in a top of the table clash which has all the makings for one of the games of the season.
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The Roos have been flying in 2014 and have only suffered one loss while defending premiers Orange have worked their way back into top form after suffering their first loss in two years last time these two sides met.
Dubbo's win back in round two shocked the competition and the 47-12 win signalled Dubbo's intent to finally wrestle the title off City but Roos' coach Paul Hennock is expecting a tougher test this time around.
"It's the return and they'll be keen to get one back over us," he said of City.
"They've got players back who were missing at the start of the season so they'll be confident and stronger than they were."
With the City team a better unit than the one the Roos met last time there is every chance this game could go right down to the wire and Hennock said his side's effort this season prove they'll give 100 per cent right until the final seconds.
"Our defence has been a positive all year and so has our ability to play the full 80 minutes, we've won a few games right at the final whistle so the boys don't give up and they have confidence in each other," he said.
Last week Hennock's men returned from Narromine with the points after a hard-fought 30-24 win over the Gorillas and the coach believes it was the perfect preparation for tomorrow's blockbuster match.
"It was a good because it was very physical and a good game before playing City because they'll try to out-muscle us and play a similar style to us," he said.
With the two sides looking evenly matched Hennock said the there will be few changes to the game plan which worked against City last time with the likes of Scott Burgess and Max Ma'a Nelson having key roles to play in attack.
"Hopefully (we can win) in the same way as last time, control the game and use Scotty (Burgess) and his kicking game and our forwards through the middle," he said.
"He's a very potent runner (Ma'a Nelson) and since he's moved into the forwards he's seen more of the ball and got more confidence."
Fullback Anthony Golding returns to the side this week after missing the Narromine match through injury, meaning the versatile James Mata reverts to the wing and Jason Coyle drops back to reserve grade.
In the forwards the Roos will be without man mountain Enoch To'Ofohe at prop but are boosted by the return of James Graham.
Hennock admitted there was still doubt over scrumhalf with youngsters Brad Collins and Bryce Williams both battling injury but said whoever was named would be keen to take part in such a big match.
"Games like this are why you play the game, the boys have been talking about it for weeks so we're looking forward to it," he said.
Kickoff in tomorrow's first grade clash is at 3.15pm.
n DUBBO KANGAROOS: 1 Max Ma'a Nelson, 2 Peter Nau (c),3 Pete Graham, 4 John Korff, 5 James Elliott, 6 Brad Pugh, 7 Ned Williams, 8 Shaun McHugh, 9 Brad Collins/ Bryce Williams, 10 Scott Burgess, 11 James Mata, 12 Ted Bates, 13 Filisione Pauta, 14 Tim Symonds, 15 Anthony Golding.