Dylan Hill knows his Macquarie Raiders are running out of time to make a charge to the Group 11 top five.
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The Raiders haven’t won since May 13 and that has seen them slip to seventh on the ladder with just five rounds remaining.
The side the Raiders beat last is the Narromine Jets, the team at the foot of the ladder and the one Macquarie meets again on Sunday.
“We’ve got to hit our straps or it’s going to be too late,” Raiders coach Hill said.
“We’ve spoken about it and we need to win for the next three or four weeks because Nyngan is coming home strong and Westside is a threat as well.”
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Westside sits in the all-important fifth spot, just one point ahead of both Nyngan and Macquarie.
However, with the Tigers hosting the Rabbitohs this weekend, one is certain to move clear of the Raiders if they fail to get the job done at Cale Oval.
For Hill, the biggest this weekend is getting his side to start the game well.
Macquarie has shown an ability to mix it with the top sides at times and Hill feels it’s a recurring issue of poor starts to games which is costing his side.
“We’ve been struggling to close out games and we’ve had lapses in concentration,” he said.
“In our starts we seem to get on the back foot and that allows sides to get out to a lead and we’re chasing out tail. And then if we do get back in front we’ve used all our energy to do that.
“It would be good if we could get out on the front foot.”
The coach is putting the onus back on the players to ensure that happens against the winless Jets this weekend.
“We prepare well in warm-ups and then we’re back in the sheds and we seem to leave it all there,” Hill said.
“We’ve got to take that out on to the field and that’s on the individuals to do.”
Starting well be vital this weekend as there is no doubt the Jets will be motivated.
While the Narromine side is still yet to win a game, promise has been shown in recent weeks when the Jets matched both Westside and Nyngan for long periods before eventually falling away.
Also, this weekend is the Jets’ special Indigenous round and charity day with one-off jerseys to be worn.
The theme this year is representing and respecting women within the Aboriginal community, something Jets captain-coach Wes Middleton is taking seriously.
“The boys will wear the jersey with pride and respect, and they’ll be playing for that special women in their lives,” Middleton said.
“It’s important we keep coming together as one and supporting the Indigenous community and also as a club in Narromine to bring that community engagement for everyone to be apart of.”
Hill knows his side can’t take the Jets lightly, with a bumper crowd expected at Cale Oval for the day.
In terms of lineups, Colt Tairua returns from injury to add some much-needed size and go-forward to the Raiders pack while an ankle injury to winger DJ Gordon at training on Thursday night sees Brad Spencer revert to the backline.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
