AFTER a couple of years in the doldrums Macquarie have found themselves back towards the top of the Group 11 ladder in 2016 but on Sunday face one of their biggest tests so far.
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The resurgent Raiders make the trip to Spooner Oval to take on a powerful Forbes Magpies side.
Macquarie sit second on the ladder, two points behind CYMS and equal with Parkes, while the Magpies are a further two points back in fourth.
"Without judging too much I think CYMS will beat Parkes this weekend on current form and if we can beat Forbes it gives us a bit of space," coach Steve McLellan said.
"But again it is going to be a test of our depth."
Dylan Hill, Perry Meredith, Chris Daley and Mason Williams all remain on the sidelines with long term injuries and this weekend Kini Tanaulucavu and Etuate Gusuivalu will also be missing.
Barnstorming forward Tanaulucavu misses this weekend after being suspended for striking during last weekend's heated clash with Wellington while five-eighth Gusuivalu is battling a shoulder injury.
With so many players on the sideline McLellan admitted his side couldn't afford to risk the in-form Gusuivalu against the Magpies.
He also stated Tanaulucavu's absence is a real blow against a Forbes side with arguably the strongest forward pack in the competition.
"He might start on the bench but he makes a real difference when he comes on," McLellan said.
"he tightens up the middle but I'm full of confidence in our forwards holding them out.
"Our forward pack has been a real strength and they've done the work.
"We're not trying to play lateral, they go through the middle and no pack we've played has outdone them."
While the attacking flair of Gusuivalu, Josh Merritt, Damien Wells and Ash Widders has made all the headlines this season, the improvement up front has been integral to the Raiders return to premiership contention.
Despite Hill and Perry missing, the likes of Jade Hooper, Timoci Yauvoli and Tanaulucavu have been immense.
"Within the playing group and the coaches it hasn't gone unnoticed," McLellan said.
"They do the job through the middle and that flows to the rest of the team."
They will again have to be at their best on Sunday against a pack featuring Western Rams players Jake Grace and Ben Maguire while former Ram Zac Merrit also returns from injury to add even more steel.
Sunday begins with the League Tag at 11am while the first grade clash is set for a 2.30pm kick off.
