MACQUARIE travel to Narromine today knowing nothing else but a win will do if they are to turn their season around and get back in the Group 11 finals race.
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The Raiders have suffered six consecutive losses and have been hampered by an injury crisis which even forced 45-year-old coach Guy Meredith to lace up the boots and play halfback last week.
Currently sitting in seventh spot on the ladder the Raiders need a win to get back in finals contention with sixth-placed Westside already four points ahead of them.
Narromine are also just as desperate and sit one point and one spot below the Raiders, with a win over Cobar and a draw with Westside the Jets' only joy in 2015.
While things have been hugely disappointing for Macquarie, they did receive some good news this week with Claude Gordon available again after serving his suspension while Mason Williams also returns from injury.
Those two will slot straight into the halves, Gordon at halfback, meaning Craig McLean drops back to fullback.
The progress of younger players has been one positive for Macquarie this season and the likes of Hayden Kemper and Wade Kavanagh retain their places.
Kavanagh in particular has caught the eye of coach Meredith and he has been elevated to the starting lineup, where he will play hooker.
There are changes up front with captain Anthony Egan dropping back to the bench, meaning Jade Hooper will be partnered by Brody Chapman.
Perry Meredith will again be key in the second row with his work, especially defensively, a highlight week after week.
James McKinnon, Rowan Orcher, Chris Daley, Corey Cox and long term absentee Jeremy Smith are just some of the players still unavailable for the Raiders.
The action at Cale Oval begins at 12pm with the under-18s, followed by the reserves and first grade matches.
MACQUARIE: 1 Craig Mclean, 2 Hayden Kemper, 3 Norman Button, 4 Ashley Widders, 5 Sam McDermott, 6 Mason Williams, 7 Claude Gordon, 8 Brody Chapman, 9 Wade Kavanagh, 10 Jade Hooper, 11 Shannon Ireland, 12 Perry Meredith, 13 Matthew Walker, 14 Shaquille Gordon, 15 Anthony Egan, 16 Hale Gordon, 17 Jack Kelly
In round nine's other match, Dubbo Westside play host to the Wellington Cowboys today at No. 1 Oval.
Cowboys captain-coach Justin Toomey-White said in yesterday's Daily Liberal the match was of huge importance as both side's look to claim a top five spot.
Westside coach Robbie Dunn is boosted by the expected return of instrumental five-eighth Josh Merritt, who returns from suspension.
The Rabbitohs camp will be full of confidence after holding Nyngan to a draw at Cale Oval last week despite missing a number of key players.
The action at No. 1 Oval begins with the League Tag at 11am, followed by the under-18s, reserves and first grade.