Almost a year to the day since the last time they had the luxury, this weekend Orange City will face an outfit sitting below them on the Blowes Clothing Cup ladder when they host the winless Forbes Platypi at Pride Park in Saturday's fourth round.
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The last time the Lions did so was in round four of last year when they travelled to Cowra to face the Eagles, and until now that was also the last time the 2012 and 2013 champions weren't dwelling in the competition's cellar themselves.
Reckon that'll make things easier for the rebuilding yet similarly-winless Lions to score their first win of 2019?
You never write off Forbes, I've learned that the hard way.
- Orange City skipper Josh Tremain
"You never write off Forbes, I've learned that the hard way," Orange City skipper Josh Tremain, a former NSW Country Cockatoo, said.
"Forbes are a quality side and have been for a few years, it's going to be tough to overcome them. They'll be very disappointed with their three losses to start the season, we're expecting them to come out hard.
"It's a big game for us and them."
Both sides have suffered defeats to Cowra and Bathurst Bulldogs in the opening two rounds, with Orange City also dropping last week's clash with Dubbo Kangaroos while Forbes were beaten by Orange Emus in round one.
Considering both sides have showed plenty of promising signs this weekend's clash is, realistically, probably an even-money bet. Like Forbes were after relinquishing a lead in round one to the defending premiers, Tremain said his side was disappointed not to finish the job against Roos.
They ran with the Dubbo side and earned a 27-26 lead midway through the second half but, unfortunately for the Lions' faithful, "let it slip".
"It was disappointing, I felt we should have won that one," Tremain said, explaining continued concentration defensively will be a big focus against the Jarrod Hall and Jack Hammond-coached Platpyi.
"We keep giving away easy points, a couple of those on the weekend we gave up too easily, but we've got a never give up attitude this year, and basically when they score we score right back at them.
"We just need to work on scoring before they do."
Lions coach Viv Paasi has made a couple of changes to the side that pushed Roos all the way. While boom recruit Lachie Blunt remains unavailable Keegan Harding will return at fullback and "add a lot of flair", in Tremain's words.
Orange City host Forbes Platypi from 3.15pm at Pride Park on Saturday.
- ORANGE CITY LIONS: 1 Cal Townsend, 2 Nick Fisher, 3 Josh Tremain (c), 4 Colin McGregor, 5 Scott Smith, 6 Jake Johnstone, 7 Fletcher Rose, 8 Duncan Young, 9 Tom Nell, 10 Cam Cole, 11 Nathan Swain, 12 Harry Taberner, 13 Barton Young, 14 Tom Westcott, 15 Keegan Harding
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Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
