Confident isn't necessarily how Molong coach Dean Butler would describe his troops leading into Saturday's huge Oilsplus Cup Northern Division top-of-the-table clash with Geurie, he preferred to say his Magpies are "up for the challenge".
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That's not to suggest he's ruling out a victory by any means, but considering his side will make the trip to Geurie with a handful of sidelined stars in tow, he's aware how tough a task taking down the unbeaten defending premiers is going to be.
Props Darcy Garlick and Brendan Sharpe along with second-rower Angus Sharpe and lightning-quick centre Hugh Westcott have all been ruled out of Saturday's round seven encounter, which will take a toll on the Magpies' set-piece more than anything.
We do have a few injuries but our depth was always going to be tested at some point and it's a good challenge.
- Molong coach Dean Butler
"Obviously without a couple of props our set-piece will be challenged," Butler said.
"Our scrum in particular has been a lot tidier this year and that was one of our goals, cleaning that up and building on it so it can be the foundation for our backs. They will have to work really hard there this weekend though, and securing our own ball is the main focus.
"We do have a few injuries but our depth was always going to be tested at some point and it's a good challenge for the guys coming into the side and the senior players still there.
"They'll all need to step up in a big way and I'm sure they will, I'm sure they'll take the challenge on."
The two sides haven't face off yet this year and sit five points apart on the table, Geurie with five wins from five starts and Molong with four, with the best indicator of how tough Saturday's epic match-up may be their respective results against the competition's other would-be contenders.
Both sides took down the surging, fourth-placed Coolah Roos by two points, while their respective results with the third-placed Wellington Redbacks' were at completely opposite ends of the ledger.
Geurie downed Wellington 33-3 in a comprehensive win, while Molong fell 28-12 to the Redbacks.
"There's no doubt Geurie are the benchmark in this competition again this year, but I think Saturday will be a really tough, tightly-contested game and we're looking forward to it," Butler said.
"Even with those injuries we've still got plenty of ability in our side, we've got some exciting guys in the backs like Zac White and Simon Dowling, and guys like (skipper) Josh Peffer will lead from the front in the pack."
Molong will have one benefit though, former NSW Country Cockatoo Filisione Pauta and fellow Goats gun Eroni Turaga aren't expected to play on Saturday.
Cross-code stars, they're both named to front in Dubbo Macquarie's Group 11 first grade clash against Wellington, which is also on Saturday.
Saturday's top-of-the-table clash kicks off at 3.15pm at Geurie Showground.
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