AFTER a regular season littered with injuries and players away on representative duty, Dubbo Kangaroos coach Paul Hennock knows how much of a positive it is for his side to finally line up at full strength.
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The likes of Peter Nau, Filisione Pauta, Scott Burgess, Shaun McHugh and Tim Cullenward have all been missing for extended periods during the year but the Roos will finally have their best players on the park when they meet Orange City in tomorrow's Blowes Clothing Cup major semi-final at No. 1 Oval.
"This is probably our best outfit, there may be a couple of players in their non-favoured position but that's the best 15 players at our club and the 15 we think can get the job done," Hennock said.
The Dubbo coach expects no surprises in tomorrow's clash with his clinical side going up against the two-time defending Blowes Cup champions.
Hennock admitted his squad were refreshed and focused after enjoying a week off as reward for finishing the regular season as minor premiers but after defeating Orange City twice this year already he has urged his side to take nothing for granted.
"I've been instilling in the boys all year that each week is a different ball game and it's a new game week in week out," he said, before adding he wasn't surprised to see the Lions defeat Orange Emus last week.
"Not really given what City have done for the last couple of years, in finals you've got to limit your mistakes and take your opportunities and City know that.
"Emus may have been the better side during the year but it's a different game during the finals."
With attacking threats such as Pauta, Ted Bates and Max Ma'a Nelson regular performers during the year, Hennock said his side's defensive efforts were what would make the difference tomorrow.
The pressure of the Orange City pack is something the Roos will have to deal with but after having to win their final five matches of the season to seal the minor premiership, Hennock is backing his side to get the job done.
"We've played a bit of pressure football with having to get a bonus point each week so that was a bit of sudden death in a way," he said.
"Defence always wins these games, we can score points but it's about stopping your opposition and we're confident our defence will stand up."
Kick off in tomorrow's match is at 3.15pm at No. 1 Oval.
o DUBBO KANGAROOS: 1 Max Ma'a Nelson, 2 Peter Nau (c), 3 Tim Cullenward, 4 John Korff, 5 James Elliot, 6 Simon Hegarty, 7 Brad Pugh, 8 Shaun McHugh, 9 Wade Richardson, 10 Scott Burgess, 11 James Mata, 12 Ted Bates, 13 Filisione Pauta, 14 Blake Sharp, 15 Anthony Golding