Boggabri coach Shane Rampling says the Kangaroos have to be smarter if they are to turn the tables on Narrabri in their Group 4 season opener on Sunday.
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The two sides met last month in a trial game, the Blues taking the victory 56-16 after kicking away in the last quarter.
It has given the Roos plenty of food for thought and Rampling spoke about "being a bit more mentally stronger in the contest" and not getting "too disheartened when things go against us", and being more patient with the ball.
"They're obviously going to be pretty confident after the trial game," he said.
"We've got to be a bit smarter with how we play them than what we were in the trial."
"We know what they're about, we know where their strengths are."
He is expecting a "really tough game".
"They're always hard to beat out there," he said.
"I think it will be a real arm-wrestle for most of the game."
The Roos did cop a few injuries in that trial game, which didn't help them in that last 20 minutes.
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They are still struggling with a couple of them, Rampling said. He was on Wednesday still trying to confirm a squad, although that is not a new scenario.
"We've got a few out because of shift work," he said.
"It's just the way life is at Boggabri at the moment. We've got to try and make do with what we've got."
He couldn't be much happier with the work they've put in over the pre-season.
"The boys realise they've had to put extra work in in the off season, and most of them have done that," Ramping said.
"We've been training really well and the boys are really keen to get out there and get stuck in."
Stepping up to first division last season, he believes the experience will serve them well this season.
"A lot of them came from playing second division footy, obviously it's a lot different to first division," he said.
"They've got a year under their belts and know it's not going to come easy."
"And having reserve grade this year will make a massive difference for us with depth and players."
The likes of lock Kahn Juhnke (Kurri Kurri) and second rower Nick Miller (Bathurst St Pats) have bolstered the Roos' stocks.
Excited to see what impact that have, Rampling is also really looking forward to seeing how a couple of the club's young guns perform.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing Isaac Harris progress from 18s last year to top grade," he said.
"He and Bailey Lennox, they're both stepping up from the 18s last year."
"I'm also looking forward to seeing how Matt Gillham (hooker) goes on the back of playing rep footy this year."
