They'll get that chance on Saturday - in a derby, no less.

Suffering an 11-8 loss to Roos in the wet, City's backs threatened the Dubbo defence but could never make much headway on a heavy 10 at Pride Park.

Saturday's forecast is for 13 degrees and dry weather and given Endeavour Oval hasn't had any senior footy on it yet in 2020, we should see a decent surface and more of what the Lions are capable of against Emus, a side that continues to perform having gone to Bathurst and knocked off the defending premiers.

Is an upset on the cards?

One of the real tragedies of the last few years has been watching Filisone Pauta, arguably one of the best centres in country rugby, running around in the Central West third tier.

Pauta had strong connections at Geurie, and helped the club transform into a formidable Oilsplus outfit ... but he was three or four classes above that competition.

And he proved that again on Saturday.

The NSW Country Cockatoos gun produced the decisive run, bullocking on to an inside pass from Jack Styles to score what ended up being the match-winner.

He controlled the mid-field, kicked when needed and proved strong in attack and defence. A huge addition for Roos. It's no coincidence the Dubbo boys are undefeated.

Two rounds, two losses and now a tough clash against a new-look Forbes ... the Bulldogs' 2020 season hasn't started as per the program but things can change quickly.

And, really, they have to.

A top two spot is nearly a must if any team wants to win the Blowes Clothing Cup this season, with home advantage in the finals paramount.

After dropping two games winning the next is a must before a round four bye and then a clash with Orange City, after which the Dogs draw flips again and a trip to Endeavour Oval looms large.

But don't panic ... not yet.

Now, forwards kicking the ball is a general no-no in most footy codes. One poor use of the boot is enough to have one's kicking license shredded.

Duncan Young has been able to get away with it for years as one of the Lions' more astute players, and again against the Roos on Saturday it was Young, a flanker, who took on a lot of City's kicking.

It must have inspired Shaun McHugh.

Mid-way through the second half in Saturday's clash at Pride Park and with Dubbo enjoying a loose-head in relatively good position, McHugh picked the ball up from the back of the scrum and shot to the short side before producing a kick. And it stunk.

"I thought if I just put a little grubber in behind their line we'd be in a good position," McHugh laughed.

His kick landed about 10 rows back after hitting nothing but the side of his size 17 boot.

"I think it'll be my last kick of the year."