There's six rounds remaining in the New Holland Agriculture Cup but Dubbo Rhinos captain Matt Graham expects this weekend to be the one that decides his side's finals hopes.
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Despite all their improvement and ability to match the competition's top sides for long periods this season, the Rhinos sit second from bottom and just six points ahead of the Narromine Gorillas.
The Gorillas are who the Rhinos welcome to Apex Oval this weekend in a match which could decide who grabs the all-important fourth spot on the ladder.
"It's huge. I think whoever wins this game will make finals so it's a must-win for us," Graham said.
A victory would also help wipe the memory of last weekend, where the Rhinos had 33 points piled on them in 18 brilliant minutes by a CSU side that went on to crack the half century.
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"I think if we get the win it can put last weekend out of the picture and get the motivation among the boys," Graham added.
"The heads were down a bit after last weekend so we need the morale boost.
"We were in the battle against Parkes, we were in the battle against Mudgee and we threw those away so if we could get the win and some momentum it would be massive."
Graham failed to finish last weekend's match due to a knee injury that has limited his training this week.
The front-rower will give himself right until Saturday to prove his fitness to coach Doug Sandry but he's expecting to line up in the crucial fixture.
After battling early in the season the Gorillas have shown improvement of their own in recent weeks and last Saturday's win at Mudgee was their first of the season.
I think we've got one of the most dominant and mobile packs in the comp.
- Matt Graham
Given the quality of Mudgee's forwards and scrum Graham felt it was fair to assume the Gorillas' pack was firing on all cylinders.
"It's going to be very physical up-front. Especially after they knocked off Mudgee last weekend," he said.
"I love the physical grind. We love it and I think we've got one of the most dominant and mobile packs in the comp."
It will again be on the pack - featuring the likes of Graham, Brett Austin, James Dodd, and the "absolutely phenomenal" Kelevi Ralulu - to set the platform for Nash Forgione, Teahu Baker and Dale Smith in the backs this weekend.
If they can do that and get the Rhinos into attacking areas, the plan is for some more composure in those moments.
Graham said his side has been guilty of rushing things when close to the tryline this season but as much as that is a focus, he knows the attacking chances won't mean anything if the side doesn't lift in defence.
"It's just our defence. We got a big reality check last weekend," he said.
"It's going to come down to our defence. We know we can score points but we've got to stop letting points in.
"Our defence is the big priority and will be for the rest of the year. Our defence can win us games."
Kick-off at Apex Oval on Saturday is 3.15pm.
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