Though the competition ladder shows a big void between the undefeated Saints and a Parkes side which has won once from nine outings, Conroy knows that is deceptive.

Playing Parkes at Parkes has long been a match that travelling teams approach with caution.

“They’ve got Jack Elliott in there and he is an ex-AHL [Australian Hockey League] player, so he can finish goals from anywhere,” Conroy said of Parkes’ line-up.

“So it’s mind on the job and be ready to go. After a bus trip the boys can be switched off and not focused, so for us it is going to be a pretty important first five-10 minutes.

“I’ll stress that point to the boys, we can’t have complacency, we have to have our minds on the job when we get there.”

When meeting earlier this season, Pat’s posted a 5-2 win over Parkes, yet Conroy points to last Saturday as a reason not to take another victory for granted.

Parkes came from 4-2 down to draw with 2016 grand finalists Souths, while Pat’s had to fight hard for a 5-4 victory over Lithgow Panthers.

“I was a bit surprised by last week’s result, but in saying that, if you go up to Parkes a little bit complacent, they have got the players to take advantage of that,” Conroy said.

“I think if you just play to your normal structure, you will work Parkes out. Communication is a real key against them because they play in and out of positions and structures, so obviously you have to talk and communicate to adjust to that.

“We did all the hard work last week and if went out this week and lost, then it would undo all that hard work.”

Tobbie Muldoon is still out with a knee injury, but other than that, the Saints will be at full strength for the away trip.

Brent Naylor, who had limited game time in his return from injury last week, has pulled up well and should have a greater involvement this Saturday.

St Pat’s will meet Parkes in Parkes at 2.50pm on Saturday.