As things stand, the premiers need to not only win their final two games with bonus points but hope other results go their way to make the four after dropping to fifth with the 27-26 defeat.

After leading 19-nil, and then 26-10 mid-way through the second half, Pirates coach Mat Kelly said it was the most disappointed dressing shed he's been in in his four years coaching the side.

"(But) We've got to dust ourselves off and get on with it," he said.

Starting with Inverell on Saturday.

Kelly said the players aren't shirking away from the responsibility, and had trained well this week.

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"We've put ourselves in this position and we've got to deal with it," he said.

"We're going to have to really turn on a big performance."

After equalling Dave Barnett's club record of 217 games against Moree last season, Trappel will play his 250^th game in Pirates colours.

"No-one's done it in the club. He's (Trappel) just setting the record higher for everyone else," Kelly said.

He will line up at 13 on Saturday, pushing out to outside centre with Mitch Dening returning from suspension.

Richie O'Halloran will meanwhile make his first grade debut, starting at nine.

Not surprisingly Kelly spoke about the importance of producing an 80 minute effort.

"We started well out there at Narrabri and then just really shut up shop in the second half," he said.

"We just couldn't come away with points. (And) Narrabri were good enough."

Pirates got the points against the Highlanders 24-10 in the first round but won't be taking them lightly.

"It was a tussle last time, they're a tough group of fellas," Kelly recalled.

"It's the last home game for us now, we hope to put on a decent show for our supporters."

In the round's other fixtures, Walcha are at home to Scone, Gunnedah travel to Barraba while Quirindi host Narrabri.