It's a situation the Forbes Magpies are well accustomed to.
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Playing in a sudden death match in the first week of the Group 11 finals.
Twice in the past three seasons the Magpies have made a run from fourth to take out the premiership, meaning this weekend's minor semi-final doesn't fill them with a sense of dread.
But things haven't been ideal for the defending premiers coming into this match, and coach Cameron Greenhalgh knows a lot has to change.
After getting thumped by Parkes in the final round of the regular season, the Magpies meet the Spacemen again on Sunday.
We're looking to put in a solid effort, if we don't it's the end of our season.
- Cameron Greenhalgh
This time it's at Parkes and it's all or nothing.
"We're looking to put in a solid effort, if we don't it's the end of our season," Greenahlgh said.
Following last week's 42-20 humbling at the hands of the Spacemen last weekend, Greenhalgh said nearly everything had to change.
He added the first weekend of finals marked the start of "a whole new ball game" and few teams can handle finals pressure than Forbes.
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But the team this year looks much different to the all-conquering ones of recent times, with rookie teenage halves Thomas Toohey and Kurt Mylecharane named to lead the side around again.
Parkes and Forbes will also do battle in the league tag contest on Sunday, however that is not an elimination contest.
Given Parkes was in the qualifying semi and Wellington the elimination game, the venues for both were switched.
The Parkes Spacecats defeated Forbes in the two previous meetings this season and will be favourite to advance to a major semi-final date with Dubbo CYMS.
Parkes features in all four games on home turf, with the reserve grade side taking on Wellington while the juniors will do battle with Nyngan.