Dubbo Westside has shown real progress this season but a win over Forbes Magpies would prove the Rabbitohs are worthy of being a top five side.
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That’s the feeling of joint-captain-coach Claude Gordon, with the three wins his side has to its name this year coming against teams currently lower than Westside on the ladder.
The Rabbitohs sit in fifth spot and are well-placed in the race for finals but Gordon knows his side could make a real statement on Sunday when taking on the fourth-placed Magpies.
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“It would give us that bit more belief and show we can mix it with these sides,” Gordon said.
“We want to finish in that top five so if we can string a couple more wins together and there stay there then anything can happen in finals.”
One thing working in the Rabbitohs’ favour this weekend is the fact the game is being played at No. 1 Oval.
Westside’s last home game was transferred to Apex Oval and the men in red and green suffered a tight loss to Parkes that day.
But this weekend the Rabbitohs are back at their spiritual home and another bumper and raucous crowd is expected to be on hand.
“We were pretty filthy to play at Apex against Parkes, it didn’t feel right,” Gordon said.
“No. 1 is our home ground and teams don’t like playing us there. We’re undefeated there this season and hopefully we can keep it that way.”
While all too aware Forbes boasts one of the best forward packs in the competition, Gordon doesn’t want his side focusing on the likes of Jake Grace, Ben Maguire and Ben Robinson too much.
The skipper says his side has been guilty of focusing on the opposition too much this year and instead needs to focus on getting the “one-percenters” right.
But in saying that, he knows slowing down the Magpies pack is vital to his side’s chances of victory.
The bustling Magpies trio were all in fine form in the win over Parkes last time out, but five-eighth Mitch Burke was also a standout and flying teenage fullback Charlie Staines continues to go from strength to strength.
Adding to the challenge that is front of Westside is the expected absence of Kurt Beahan, Alex Frail and Tommy Merritt on Sunday.
However, those absences are offset by the return of the dynamic Brayden Peachey and Warren Peachey.
The action at No. 1 Oval starts at 11am with the league tag while first grade is expected to kick-off at 2.30pm.