The Forbes Magpies have been "ticking a few more boxes each week" according to coach Cameron Greenhalgh, but the experienced mentor knows a genuine test awaits this weekend.
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Greenhalgh said his side will have to tick all the boxes on Sunday when the Magpies play host to Dubbo CYMS in a grand final rematch.
The defending premiers have strung together back-to-back wins while CYMS comes into the match undefeated.
There's been plenty of positives for the Magpies, with former Irish international Josh Toole making his debut last week and scoring a hat-trick in reserve grade before featuring in the 48-24 first grade win over Narromine.
"We clicked into gear a bit," Greenhalgh said of that game.
"We still had a couple of lapses, which we need to fix.
"Narromine was solid, which we expected. They have big forwards. We knew we needed to match that and we did."
The Magpies have been focused on starting well, and they achieved that, but the coach acknowledged lapses later in each half.
Against the unbeaten CYMS this weekend, the hosts will need to play the full 80 minutes, he said. They need a bigger share of possession.
The build-up points to another improved performance, with strong numbers at training during the entire pre-season and early rounds.
The side is also boosted by the return of boom centre Brydon Ramien for this weekend's game at Spooner Oval, while Toole has been named to start.
"We've got a few more players coming on in the next few weeks but the blokes who are there are doing the job," Greenhalgh said.
The action at Spooner Oval starts with league tag at 11am on Sunday.