Shaun McHugh insists a "flaw" within the Dubbo Kangaroos club needs to be corrected before his side can start climbing the Blowes Clothing Cup ladder.
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The McHugh-led Roos let another game slip on Saturday as two late tries for Forbes saw the Platypi clinch a 26-15 victory.
It was the second time in as many rounds the Roos have been in an arm wrestle late on only to walk away with nothing to show.
McHugh feels the inability to field a consistent lineup each week plays a major part, with 17 players across the senior grades unavailable for the weekend's trip to Forbes.
"I think it's been a bit of a flaw of the Roos in the last two or three years," the captain said.
"If we were consistent then we'd be top of the table, no doubt about it.
"That competition for spots breeds success and at the moment that competition isn't as tight as it should be.
"Hopefully blokes can stick to playing footy and we can have the same people onboard and they have a bit of pride."
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The lack of depth means a number of players who back up from second grade are on the bench for firsts and they, understandably, don't have the energy to provide a real spark off the pine after playing their own matches.
"The belief is there, I know it is, and we spoke about that after the match," McHugh said, also ruling out fitness as an issue at the club.
"A win over a so-called top team or any team really would do the confidence a world of good and then a run of wins would be magic."
The Roos are second from bottom with just one win to their name after the opening round of matches, already a whopping 17 points behind the ladder-leading Bathurst Bulldogs.
They could be a whole lot higher having seen both Cowra and Forbes now snatch victory inside the final 10 minutes.
"The frustrating thing is we had a really good game against Emus and we built pressure when we beat City," McHugh said.
"Then we had Cowra on the ropes but they did the Houdini act on us and now Forbes has done the same.
"There's plenty of blokes putting in but we're not getting the rewards."
Despite the frustrating nature of the loss, there were positive signs again for the Roos on Saturday.
Tim Beach continued his outstanding start to the season and nabbed another try while Will Archer continues to make his presence felt in the forward pack in his first year with the club.
"He's been the best for us each week," McHugh said of Archer.
"And he's one of the best back-rowers in the competition that I've seen."
Luke Ryan also took his chance at fullback and performed well in the close-fought defeat.
While the result was painful for the Roos it was another welcome win for the Platypi.
After a slow start to the season the Jarrod Hall and Jack Hammond-led Platypi have now won back-to-back games and moved above Roos on the ladder in the process.