The Doggies proved one hell of a snowball that day to take down the Dons, who were looking unstoppable, but looking back at the season coach Kevin Sheedy conceded it was a loss the side “needed to have”. 

While the Orange Tigers are nowhere near the unstoppable juggernaut Essendon was at the turn of the centurty, last week’s loss to the Bathurst Giants may prove a wake-up call for a side that’s been flying.

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It’ll have to, because the Orange side faces a Parkes Panthers outfit fresh from their first on-field win of the season last weekend, their maiden victory was a token one after Dubbo made a player registration gaffe.

“The loss will help us, we want to get back up there and win again,” he said.

“We didn't play great, they played better than us in the conditions and it's something to build for us in the rest of the week.

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“I wouldn't say it was a loss we had to have though, we've still got the numbers at training and we just weren't there on the day.”

As Thorley alluded to, there’s plenty for the Tigers to improve on and while Mick Evans and Chris Rothnie return his side will be still be missing key bodies.

They’re not underestimating Parkes either.

“Parkes are a good side, when we played them at home they came out and put it to us for three quarters,” he said.

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“When they came here they never gave up and I can see why they won last week, they're a quality side and I wouldn't count them out this week.”

The Tigers host Parkes from 2.30pm on Saturday at Waratahs Sportsground.

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