Their loss in last weekend's major semi-final was disappointing enough but that was compounded by the news inspirational skipper Nigel Staniforth is in doubt for Saturday's Blowes Clothing Cup preliminary final against Cowra.
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Staniforth was carried off Bathurst's Anne Ashwood Park in the 55th minute of last weekend's 23-21 loss to Bulldogs and is now racing the clock to recover from what's said to be a medial ligament problem which is, potentially, a season-ending injury.
The actual extent of the injury is unconfirmed though and with that in mind Emus coach Pete Bromley didn't speculate too much, but said he's certain Staniforth will be doing everything within his power to be fit for Saturday's do-or-die final at Endeavour Oval.
"We'll wait and see how he is (during the week), it's obviously always a concern any time your captain [injures] his knee close to the end of the season," Bromley said.
"He'll be iced up and doing everything he can to recover, we'll just have to see whether he does recover in time for next weekend or for, hopefully, the grand final in two weeks' time.
The multiple-time Shute Shield champion has battled knee injuries in the past and should he not recover in time it will be a huge blow for the greens, considering he's arguably been in career-best form in 2019, his efforts rocketing him into player-of-the-year contention.
"He is one of those players you can't really re-create. Whenever you lose a player like Nigel it makes a difference because of his talk, his leadership, his direction from the back, he's the captain for a reason," Bromley said.
It's not all smooth sailing for Cowra either ahead of next weekend.
The Eagles will nervously await word from the Central West Rugby Union judiciary after Chris Miller was sent-off in Sunday's minor semi-final.
The inspirational, former NSW Country Cockatoo was typically strong in the Eagles' ruthless 37-13 win over the now-eliminated Forbes, but was shown red in the 78th minute as the clash threatened to boil over, as was Platypi halfback Mahe Fangupo.