The injury-hit Wellington Cowboys will look to the vast amount of leadership within the squad in this weekend's Group 11 preliminary final.
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The Cowboys are still feeling effects of last weekend's bruising major semi-final loss to CYMS, with Steve Gordon and Jack Kempston both set to miss Sunday's sudden death clash with Nyngan.
Gordon will miss the game at Forbes' Spooner Oval after the severe concussion suffered last week - the high shot from Jarryn Powyer which caused that resulting in the Fishies captain-coach being suspended for two games - while Kempston has failed to overcome a shoulder injury.
Coach Justin Toomey-White said that was a huge blow, but the pain of those losses is tempered somewhat by the return of Tristan Lumley.
As well as that, captain Aidan Ryan avoided suspension at the judiciary on Thursday and will take his place on the wing.
Back-rower Lumley has been battling his own shoulder injury recently but the return of the hard-running former Queensland Intrust Super Cup player provides a real boost.
"He'll add some spark and that leadership," Toomey-White said.
"He's been in this position of do-or-die games before and there's the leadership of him, Dennis Moran, Timana (Tahu), and Trav (Waddell).
"The boys rely on that but also we've got the young boys who were here before last year and they know how much that means to us."
Toomey-White was playing last year when the Cowboys were beaten by eventual premiers Forbes at this stage of the season.
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The side has changed plenty since then, but the challenge posed by an in-form Nyngan side is an almighty one.
Toomey-White said his side will take very little out of the recent qualifying semi-final win over the Tigers, especially after Nyngan went to another level in the minor semi destruction of Forbes last time out.
"They were terrific against Forbes and we know they'll be raring to go," Toomey-White said, having been at Nyngan to watch last weekend.
"They're a great team with a great forward pack and the halves and Jacob Neill work off that and then there's Justin Carney with his damaging runs.
"But we'll be prepared to put on a show over there."
I've got so much faith in these boys.
- Justin Toomey-White
The fact the Cowboys and Tigers are also meeting in the reserve grade preliminary final adds to the occasion and ensures both clubs will have a huge amount of support at Spooner Oval.
"The mood is really good," Toomey-White said of his side.
"We know we didn't play to the best of our ability last week but we spoke about that on Sunday and Monday and the focus now is on this Sunday.
"I've got so much faith in these boys."
Lumley has been named to start in place of Kempston, while NSW Country under 18s halfback Rylee Blackhall has been called up and will provide a utility role from the bench.
Clynton Edwards has been named to return to the wing for the Tigers after missing last weekend's 44-12 win over Forbes.
Jone Yacadrau is set to return to centre after playing on the wing last weekend, while Hammond Erepan will shift back to the second-row.
Kick-off on Sunday is scheduled for 2pm at Forbes.
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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.
