But that pressure and importance will take a back seat for Raiders captain-coach Wes Middleton and so many other involved with the club on Sunday as Macquarie holds its annual NAIDOC round fixture.

Special one-off jerseys will be worn for the match against Wellington at Apex Oval while many Elders and community members have been invited to take part in the day.

Middleton knows the impact events like this can have, having captained the First Nation Goannas last season and spoken about the importance of heritage before and after that experience.

"Rugby league is great at bringing people together from all backgrounds," Middleton said ahead of this weekend.

"We have to work together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, for our shared future.

"And it's very important to connect to the country and to the voice of our Elders so we can share the law, culture, and knowledge they've passed down. Share that with non-Indigenous people as well, it's important to get that message across so we can come together and move forward as a country."

That message is what NAIDOC Week in 2019 was all about, with the theme this year being 'voice, treaty, truth' and working together towards that shared future.

"We've also invited some Elders to be involved with the coin toss before the game and also handing out our jerseys," Middleton added.

"It's so important to keep those Elders, they're our encyclopedias, so we need to look after them and learn from them.

"Speaking on behalf of my own family, I've only got the one grandparent left and that's my grandfather but what he's passed down has been priceless. That identity and culture is the biggest thing I have."

With so much pride and motivation within the Raiders heading into the weekend, there is a positive feel about the meeting with the Cowboys.

Wellington sits second and Sunday's meeting at Apex Oval is just one part of a difficult run home for the Raiders.

One point outside the top five heading into Sunday, the Raiders then play Parkes and Nyngan in the final two rounds.

"It's do-or-die. That's the attitude we've got," Middleton said.

"We've had three draws earlier in the year and looking back it's bittersweet because if we'd won those we wouldn't be in this position.

"But I've got confidence in the boys ... I'm confident we could win all three. I've never doubted the ability."

With a number of new players in the squad and Middleton injured for much of the first half of the season, it's only been lately the Raiders have started to settle on a regular lineup.

Middleton will again play at halfback alongside Bo Satrick on Sunday, with Kane McDermott again at hooker, Sam Coe at fullback, and Aaron Daniel at home in the second-row.

The fact Macquarie haven't played in two weeks due to a Westside forfeit and general bye is also a good thing, according to the captain-coach, who described it as a much-needed "freshen-up" both physically and mentally.

The action at Apex Oval starts with league tag at 11am, with the main first grade match set to kick-off at 2.30pm.