The Dubbo Kangaroos women's side has been champing at the bit to get back on the field and this weekend they return to showcase their premiership credentials.
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The Roolettes are already guaranteed to finish second on the Westfund Ferguson Cup ladder but after no play for the last three weeks there's a real desire to impress in Saturday's final round meeting with Forbes.
"We're getting some good numbers (at training) and they're turning up and putting in," co-coach Gus McDonald said.
"They're just keen to play and I'm excited to get them out on the park."
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The Platypi have only won once this season but have shown plenty of development and given there's only five sides in the competition they remain in the finals mix heading into the last round.
Given that, and the match being played at Forbes, McDonald and the Roolettes are keen for a tight tussle before a major semi-final battle with fierce rivals and minor premiers Bathurst Bulldogs the following week.
"I definitely hope so," McDonald said.
"We've got some girls coming back and they need a good blow-out.
"I think a good, hard, physical game is just what we need because the following week when we go and play Bulldogs will be pretty full-on.
"Hopefully it can be a good grind against Forbes."
Given there's been a number of injuries, the benefit of cancelled matches and byes recently has been the chance for the Roolettes to rest up.
Not everyone will be back on deck for Saturday's trip to Pioneer Oval but LillyAnn Mason-Spice will be back in a massive boost for the side.
Mason-Spice hasn't played since getting injured on Super W duty with the ACT Brumbies and she returns to club footy having been recently named in an extended Australian Wallaroos squad.
The break also allowed McDonald and fellow coach Kieran Smith to tinker with the side slightly.
There's been something of a new approach with a couple of positional changes while the side continues to develop its approach to the 12-a-side format of the cup.
We've changed up the way we play a lot, which has freshened it up.
- Gus McDonald
Last year it was 10-a-side, which meant matches were played more in a fast 7s style, but the 12 player system is closer to regular 15-a-side footy.
"Actually execute what we've been working on the last four or five weeks," McDonald said of what he wants to see on Saturday.
"We've changed up the way we play a lot, which has freshened it up, and some of the younger girls have played the house down.
"I'm keen to see them keep stepping up because they've got us through all year, which has been fantastic."
In terms of the lineup for Saturday, one of the big changes will be Mia Taylor moving from the backline to forward pack and she's expected to make an immediate impact.
"She multi-skilled and it's exciting to see how she'll go," McDonald said.
"She doesn't mind putting on a shot and with other girls running directly at her she can excel."
Saturday's match kicks off 12.55pm.
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