FOR the Tamworth Kangaroos, the 2019 AFL North West season has been a challenging one.
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With several key players missing due to injury or retirement, the Roos have only recorded one win for the season, a mammoth victory over the Narrabri Eagles in round two.
However, due to the Eagles' withdrawal from the competition, the result was scrapped, leaving the Roos without a victory to their name.
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On Saturday, the Roos will play host to the only other winless side in the competition, the Moree Suns.
It will be the sides first encounter for the season after their early fixture was abandoned due to ground issues in Moree.
A loss for either side at No.1 Oval could spell an end to any ambitions of playing in the finals.
Roos coach Tony Bishop said his side was going into Saturday's clash under strength.
"We lost three of our better players to injury in last weekend's game against Gunnedah," Bishop told the Leader.
"Still, we will hopefully put a full side together, have a crack and hopefully keep our mathematical chances of making the finals alive."
With his side containing a blend of youthful and experienced players, Bishop said he was looking for his "guys in the middle to stand up".
"This season we have blooded some younger players and relied on some of our older guys to fill in as well," he said.
"While that is great, I am really looking for our guys in between those ages to really stand up and help get us over the line.
"We still have some outstanding players like Robbo [Luke Robinson] and Elliot Bowen, so it would be great to see us put it together and pull out a win."
Bishop said he was unsure what to expect from the Suns, given Saturday's clash will be the first time the two sides have met this season.
"I know they have made some big improvements this season, so it will be interesting to see what kind of side they bring to Tamworth," he said.
"We haven't played them yet so I don't know what to expect, all I know is we won't be taking anything for granted and will be working hard to pick up the win."
In the round's other action, the Gunnedah Bulldogs will play host to the New England Nomads, while the Inverell Saints will take on the Tamworth Swans at Varley Oval.
In Saturday's curtain raiser at Tamworth No.1 Oval, the Tamworth Kangaroos women's team will do battle with the New England Nomads, while the Saints woman's team will clash with the Tamworth Swans.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
