It's been a season of two halves for the defending premiers, winning just five of their first nine matches as they tried to rebuild a side ravaged by off-season departures.

But belief was never a problem within the squad and now after winning seven consecutive matches the Roos head to Orange to take on minor premiers Orange City for a spot in the decider against Orange Emus.

"If you said after the first round, after we'd been beaten by City, Emus, Bathurst and Cowra that we'd be playing to get into the grand final I don't think many people would believe you," captain Shaun McHugh said.

"We've come a long way and been under the radar a bit but I still think City, Emus and Bathurst always knew we'd be there or thereabouts."

City were shocked by Emus last week in their major semi-final and now return to Pride Park to take on a Dubbo side which has won nine of its past 11 matches.

The Lions defeated the Roos on both occasions this season, 24-10 at No. 1 Oval back in April and then 27-17 in the return match in July.

While McHugh and his men are a much improved side from the one which lost those matches, the skipper still knows his side face a huge challenge in Saturday's do-or-die fixture.

"Even though they lost to Emus last week they're still the minor premiers and have been the best side all season week in, week out," he said of City.

"I always thought, on their day, any team in the top five could win it so now we've just got to prove we can match it."

McHugh again stated his side needed to start matches better but had full confidence in his side's ability to play from the first whistle to the last.

The never-say-die attitude has been one of the most impressive aspects of the Roos' play in 2015, with wins over Forbes and more recently Bathurst sealed just as the final whistle sounded.

"We can put points on the board at any time which is pleasing but we can't rest on our laurels against a City attack which is lethal," McHugh said.

"We've got to match up against that but our set pieces have been strong and if we maintain that discipline and create some dominance there then that should create some ball and space for our backs."

The clash of the backs is shaping as one of the best of the season.

While star No. 8 Tatafu Na'aniumoto takes many of the plaudits for the Lions, the likes of Joe Lasagavibau and Jake Davis have been some of the form players of the competition this season.

For the Roos, centre Moa Kavaefiafi has been a representation of Dubbo's season as a whole, improving every match and becoming a lethal strike weapon in his own right.

Hena Tuatea, Anthony Golding and Jacob Phillips have also impressed recently and all will need to be at their best if the defending premiers are to cause an upset.

"This is the opportunity we wanted, we always wanted to play against Emus or City again and now we've got one chance," McHugh said.

"We're going to take it with open arms and if we play well we're right in with a chance but they are the favourites and it's going to take a massive job."

The Roos team was yet to be named but the side came through the match against Bathurst with a clean bill of health and head to Pride Park healthy and full of confidence.

Saturday's preliminary final kicks off at 3.15pm.