Just like Emus ...

DUBBO captain Mark Daley says Orange Emus' near perfect season in 2002 has been a talking point with the unbeaten Kangaroos heading into the Blowes Menswear Cup final series.

Daley played fullback and fly-half in Emus' four straight Central West premierships between 1999-2002 before linking with the Roos this season.

Dubbo is unbeaten with four rounds remaining before the finals after passing their biggest test last Saturday – beating second placed Bathurst Bulldogs 5-0 at Walmer Park.

The win has brought comparisons between Dubbo and the 2002 Emus side, which went through the regular season with an unbeaten 18 wins and 18 bonus points.

But Emus' perfect season ended when beaten 40-17 by Bulldogs in the major semi-final, before recovering to win the title 21-15 against Bathurst.

Daley doesn't want Dubbo to fall into the same trap Emus did in 2002.

"That's pretty easy to do," Daley said. "It can happen and we weren't ready for it (in 2002)."

The former Blue Bulls captain says rival sides have risen against the Roos this year because they are unbeaten.

"We've talked about (2002 with Emus). We have to play well each week and have the right attitude," he said.

Daley says it's hard to compare the current Dubbo squad with the dominant Emus teams from 1999-2002.

"It's hard, but both had really good forward packs," he said. "There's also that winning mentality and the feeling among the team that we don't want to lose."

Roos face a tough away test against 2003 premiers Forbes this Saturday before Daley plays his former club Emus at Endeavour Oval.