Macquarie coach Steve McLellan is expecting to see his side return to their best on Sunday when they travel to Parkes’ Pioneer Oval.
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After rocketing up to second on the Group 11 ladder early in the season, the Raiders’ performances have dipped in recent weeks and even their win over Westside last time out was far from convincing.
After some disrupted training sessions due to ground closures around Dubbo, McLellan finally got the chance to put his squad through their paces on Thursday evening and he was delighted by what he saw.
“It made the difference,” the coach said.
“I came back home afterwards and was all excited and I said to the wife ‘we’re back’.
“It was good to get up there and train and have a full squad and I saw some good signs and it was probably the best we’ve trained in awhile.”
In a further boost for the Raiders, prop Dylan Hill will make his long-awaited return this weekend.
After joining the Raiders earlier this year, Hill suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season and Sunday will be the first time he has run out with his side in a competitive match in 2016.
“That’s added to the good atmosphere,” McLellan said.
“He came through a fitness test and has been doing tackling so he will be part of the 17.
“He’s worked hard and this is a testament to the hard work he’s put in.”
Hill’s return will make up for the loss of Jade Hooper, who has been leading the side from the front.
Hooper has an ankle injury and will miss the Parkes clash while Kiyan Shaw and Timoci Yauvoli also haven’t recovered from injury in time.
Parkes come into Sunday’s clash keen to bounce back after going down to the Nyngan Tigers last week.
The Spacemen sit third, two points ahead of Macquarie but the return of captain-coach Dennis Moran in recent weeks has put the club in a positive state of mind.
“We had a convincing win over them earlier in the year when we were at home and I’m sure that will be in their mind and at home they will be tough,” McLellan said.
“Having Dennis back is a boost too but at the end of the day we’ve been concentrating on what we need to do.”
What the Raiders need to do, according to McLellan, is get back to their best defensively.
Shutting down opposition attacks was the catalyst for Macquarie’s outstanding start to the season but the men in blue have leaked 92 points in the last three games.
McLellan’s aim has always been only allowing 16 points in each match and said it is a priority for his side on Sunday.
Sunday’s match begins with the Ladies League Tag at 11am while the first grade match will kick off at 2.30pm.