The Raiders welcome the Spacemen to Caltex Park and the new coach said he was not worried about just the one win and a bye from the opening four rounds as there was plenty of improvement in his side.

“It’s probably the best way to put it, we are a work in progress and still trying some positional things, especially around the halves,” he said.

“We want to get it right and there’s a lot of the season left so as long as we’re playing our best footy at the back end of the season I’ll be happy and I think we will be doing that.”

Meredith’s side were outstanding for the opening half hour of last week’s Group 11 local derby against CYMS but through a combination of poor discipline and poor handling they faded and eventually lost 40-10.

That poor discipline has cost halfback Claude Gordon four weeks on the sideline after he was suspended on Thursday night for a high shot and backchat towards the referee.

His departure has caused a reshuffle in the line-up with Craig McLean set to come up from reserves and take the number seven jersey while Chris Daley will move from the centres to five-eighth.

Daley has also been promoted to co-captain alongside Anthony Egan.

Meredith again insisted it will take time before fans see the best of Macquarie but he was happy with how his side was progressing.

“We’re learning from each game, you’ve got to take it one half at a time,” he said.

“Last week we were terrific for 30-35 minutes, as good as any team and as good as CYMS, there was no trouble with that.”

After taking on the Fishies last week, Macquarie now take on the other side which has contested the past two grand finals, Parkes.

Rather than fear playing the joint competition leaders two weeks in a row, Meredith sees it as a great opportunity for his side.

“We’ve been running the ball well (at training), both are good sides and will give us a real sign of where we’re at so we’re ready to have a crack,” he said.

One player who has been a standout early in the season for the Raiders is fullback Mason Williams.

The elusive number one scored a double and was voted players’ player last week and Meredith was keen to praise him in the lead up to the Parkes match.

“That kid is competitive and just loves the game and that comes from his family, he’s got a footballing family,” he said.

“He’s good every week and is a great communicator there at the back so I’m really happy with his form.”

Sunday’s action begins with the under-18s at 11.30am before the main game kicks off at 2.30pm.