Tamworth Kangaroos coach Tony Bishop said they have to improve “in just about every area” if they are to be a chance of toppling the New England Nomads in Armidale on Saturday.
Both sides are coming off disappointing last AFL North West round efforts.
The Nomads had to forfeit for the second week running, while the Kangaroos suffered their first loss to Tamworth rivals, the Swans, since 2009.
Bishop acknowledged afterwards that they were simply outplayed.
The main message he has been drumming into his players this week is to keep their heads up and “just try and remain positive”.
They showed some good spirit to come back last week and make it as close as it was, with only four points in it at the end after the Roos had hit the front with only a couple of minutes remaining.
The most frustrating aspect of the performance against the Swans was that they were “a bit fitter and faster”.
That isn’t a quick fix but there are things they can improve on Saturday.
Their kicking accuracy for one.
They booted 15 behinds against the Swans.
Bishop noted they also need to improve their running game, especially given that they are“playing on a bigger ground for the first time this season”.
They also can’t afford to start as slowly as they did, with the Swans kicking the first three goals of the game.
Bishop does expect to get a couple of “quality” players back for the trip and will “have a game plan”.
The Nomads are a bit of an unknown this season but history has taught the Roos not to take them lightly.
“We haven’t beaten them since the first round in 2015. And we probably didn’t beat them for a few years before that,” Bishop said.
In the other Round 5 games the Swans host Narrabri while Gunnedah head up to take on Moree.
