Tigers captain-coach Jacob Neill said Merritt had the ability to take the club to another level after he scored two tries for his new club against Wellington on Sunday.

While the Cowboys ended up getting the win, 26-22, Neill said Merritt’s skills were invaluable and hoped the would stay long-term.

“We've got Josh on board now and he's made the world of difference. He is all class and you just sit back and watch him do his thing,” Neill said.

“It's great to have him in Nyngan and I hope we can keep him here  for the next couple of years and really build off him. I think he's that kind of player.”

Sunday marked the second time in the space of seven days Merritt had been the best in a beaten side, having sparkled on debut when the Tigers went down by 10 points to the unbeaten CYMS.

Neill said he couldn’t believe the run of injuries and unavailabilities the club had suffered in 2018 but despite that, the club can make its way into the top five with strong results in the last six rounds.

“If we can get some guys back on the paddock I believe we can give this a nudge,” the coach said.

“We get one guy back and then another bloke goes. We get Fisky [James Fisk] back and he cops a head knock, we get New Dawson back and he does his knee again.

“We have one bloke [Crete Waaka] playing with a broken shoulder on the left wing, he's trying to tackle with right shoulder all the time. You can't ask for more than that.

“We just have to keep putting in and hopefully our luck turns.”

Fisk was taken from the field after copping a head knock during the game against the Cowboys but Neill said it was precautionary and he hoped the half would be back on the park soon.

Nyngan will take on the struggling Narromine Jets at Larkin Oval on Sunday and Neill hopes his men can start to build on the momentum and turn the narrow losses into wins.

“We have a run of home games and if we get a few blokes back, that will be massive for us. We'll have teams watching us too. It'll be good,” he said.