Bo Satrick knows his Macquarie Raiders are behind the eight ball in the race for the Group 11 finals, but he's adamant the attitude of his teammates will go a long way to deciding how this season finishes.
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Satrick and his Raiders were on the receiving end of a 58-12 hammering from Wellington on Sunday, with the lack of intensity in both attack and defence in the second half a point of concern.
The loss means next weekend's match against the fifth-placed Parkes is a must-win game for the Raiders, and a win against Nyngan the following week in the final round would also likely be needed to ensure a top five spot.
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Five-eighth Satrick, who was forced to step up in a big way after his side lost captain-coach Wes Middleton to an ankle injury early in the game, felt discipline was an issue for the Raiders in the loss but added his side became disheartened after the Cowboys ran in three quick-fire first-half tries to make it 18-0.
"The attitude is the biggest thing in our team," he said.
"The boys have got a really good attitude but sometimes everyone gets a bit angry or frustrated on the field and it's hard to maintain the concentration and bounce back.
"At the end of the day, it comes down to discipline. We gave away too many penalties ... that helps the other team."
Sunday's defeat and absence of Middleton, who was notably limping out of Apex Oval on Sunday afternoon, piles more pressure on a Raiders side which has barely featured in the top five this season.
Sixth is where the men in blue have spent most 2019 and while Satrick said his side needs to "go back to the drawing board" a little after Sunday, he's still got faith.
An improved performance will be needed next weekend against a Parkes side which pushed CYMS all the way on Sunday, while the final round delivers a clash with a Nyngan side that put 80 points on Narromine last time out.
While the pressure is building on the club, the Raiders still came together as a club on Sunday for its annual NAIDOC round fixture.
The first grade side wore one-off Indigenous-inspired jerseys which were then auctioned off post-game.
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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.
