A trip to Endeavour Oval is extremely difficult at the best of times but a number of injuries and unavailability is making the Dubbo Kangaroos' task even harder this weekend.
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The mood around the Roos' camp has been buoyant since last weekend's courageous win over Bathurst Bulldogs but the physical contest has taken a toll.
Co-captain Tim Beach faces an extended stint on the sideline due to an ankle injury while hooker Will Anderson will also miss the trip to Orange due to a knock.
On top of that, front-rower Ned Williams and scrumhalf Pat Wheatley are also unavailable for the meeting with the defending premiers.
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And while those absences would leave a hole in any side, coach Paul Hausia took real confidence from the way his side rallied last weekend when Beach was carried off and managed to get the job done.
"If someone is injured or out it doesn't mean the end of what we do," he said.
"It means you've got to play even better now and they did last weekend."
In a positive for Hausia and the Roos, Hamish Gordon could make his first appearance of the season at Orange.
The half and co-captain has missed the first two rounds due to an ankle injury but after training during the week he's expected to line up on Saturday.
"They're two young players who have been at the club for awhile and they're respected by their teammates," Hausia said of Beach and Gordon.
"They've still got a lot to learn and they're two completely different young blokes but they have ways of being respected on the field."
On top of the expected return of Gordon, Andy Leatham will come into the side at prop while youngster Rohan Leach will start at hooker.
It's going to be nothing but quality football against a quality team.
- Paul Hausia
As good as last weekend's one-point win was, Hausia knows his side has to go to another level on Saturday.
The Bulldogs were given chances last weekend and only two missed penalties inside the final few minutes ensured Hausia's troops finished victorious.
"It's going to be nothing but quality football against a quality team," Hausia said of playing Emus.
"They've been that way since even when I was a kid playing. We just know what we need to do and the attitude we need to have.
"We got the outcome we wanted against Dogs but we had to fight for it. Emus will be no different but we have to be really strict on our defence and discipline.
"We cannot afford to give Emus any chance to move. And their goal-kicker, I don't think I've seen him miss one."
That goal-kicker is Nigel Staniforth, who remains as crucial for Emus as ever.
If a lineup featuring the likes of Staniforth, Lachie Harris, and Charlie Henley wasn't imposing enough, the Emus have been further boosted this season by the arrival of former Super Rugby player Angus Roberts.
The former Melbourne Rebels player shone in last weekend's win over Forbes, Emus' first this season after a round one loss to Bulldogs.
Kick-off is 3.15pm at Orange.
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