The Magpies were dealt a horror run in the second-half of the season that included seven away games out of the remaining nine.

Brien said his side’s “feeling the pinch of the draw” with several players forced to play injured each week, and a number of Magpies playing reserve grade and premier league each week.

Saturday’s trip to Carrington Park, where they meet Bathurst Panthers, marks the club’s fourth consecutive away fixture.

Their season ends with a game at Wade Park against Orange Hawks, then they have the bye.

Brien believes they should have been given that bye during their long string of away games, as they’ve struggled to field a “fit” outfit each week in the run to finals.

“It was all well and good while we were playing at home, we had players coming out our ears. But it’s hard for some people when you’re playing away,” Brien said.

“It’s a really hard situation they’ve put us in.

“It’s a tough ask of us to do what we have to do [in order to make finals].

“We’ve been dudded with the draw. We should have had a rest in there but it is what it is, we have to deal with it.”

Three of Cowra’s best players Warren Williams, Blake Tidswell and Ronald Lawrence were injured during the late stages of last week’s loss against St Pat’s.

All three will remain sidelined this week in an effort to have them fully fit for next week’s clash against Orange Hawks – which will likely determine who’ll fill fifth place.

“We’re prepared to go and give it our best shot and I hope we win,” Brien said of this week’s match at Carrington Park.

Cowra meets Panthers from 2.45pm this Saturday.