Home losses to Dubbo CYMS, Nyngan and Wellington, a disappointing derby defeat on the road to Parkes, throw in injuries to Brad McMillan, Richard Fui, Jake Hadrill, Jordan Hartwig and Mitch Burke, and it's fairly safe to say Forbes' premiership defence is on the back foot.
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Coach Cameron Greenhalgh said as much on Sunday following the 36-22 loss to the Spacemen, a game the premiers led 22-16 in before virtually crumbling in the final 15 minutes as Parkes stormed home.
Although clearly dejected after Forbes' fourth loss across the opening seven rounds of 2019, Greenhalgh was adamant the Magpies can still make an impact on this year's title race.
If they do, though, it'll be without both Jordan Hartwig and Mitch Burke.
The Magpies starting halves have both suffering leg fractures in consecutive weeks that'll keep the pair on the sidelines potentially until finals time.
"I think we can make an impact ... we're getting blokes back every week but our halves stocks are starting to diminish," Greenhalgh said.
Then there's also the early season departures of Hayden Robinson (Trundle) and recruit Brydon Ramien (Cowra), leaving a bit of a gulf in the club's outside backs as well.
Greenhalgh said Brad McMillan was a chance of playing against Parkes last weekend and will make his first appearance of 2019 against Nyngan this Sunday, while Richard Fui is another set to return to the Magpies line-up in the coming weeks.
The players are disappointed, we had the side to beat them and beat them well and we didn't.
- Forbes coach Cameron Greenhalgh following his side's loss to Parkes.
The strong performances of young half Tom Toohey, he enjoyed his run-on debut against Parkes last week, and Jack Hartwig a bright light for the Forbes coach moving forward.
While the premiers are also currently looking to add to their squad before the June 30 deadline.
"We've lost a couple of players and we're freed up a bit," Greenhalgh said.
"But it's about bringing people out here that are willing to buy into what we're doing. We don't want to get anyone willy-nilly."
The task of getting back on track doesn't get any easier for Forbes, though, with Sunday's trip to tackle a similarly desperate Nyngan virtually a must-win for Greenhalgh's outfit currently in fifth spot on the ladder and barely staving off challenges from Macquarie and Narromine for that final spot in the Group 11 top five.
Greenhalgh said the player group was frustrated following the loss to Parkes and was keen to bounce back.
"We'll sit down and go through what we've got. The players are disappointed, we had the side to beat them and beat them well and we didn't," he added.
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