For more than eight months the date September 7 has been burned into the minds of the Mudgee Dragons premier division side. 

This weekend they get a chance at retribution for the act committed on that day when they host St Pat’s at Glen Willow Stadium. 

On that day the blue and whites dashed the title dreams of the Dragons with just two points standing in the way of a Mudgee grand final berth.

Mudgee’s Roger Lang said there was a healthy respect from both sides and expected a tough hit-out on Sunday. 

In the wake of their 22-4 victory over Orange Hawks last round, Mudgee will looking to lift its performance as they look to win three in-a-row. 

“They (Mudgee) were very disappointed with how they played last weekend, they only completed four our of 12 sets in the second half,” Lang said. 

“But it was a pretty physical game last weekend, probably the most physical they have had this season.

“But it’s good to see Hamish (Bryant) come back and Jack (Afamasaga) have a run as well.”

Afamasaga will need to pass a fitness test this week to take his place in the side after playing in the first half before opting not to risk possible further damage to his leg injury last round.  

Corin Smith (cork) should be right to play along with centre Nathan Orr, who shook off a dislocated knee-cap last weekend and returned to the field. 

St Pat’s coach Kurt Hancock said his side’s fortunes have mirrored the Dragons with injuries and inconsistent performance pot-marking their season record. 

“Their side’s been going through a similar thing as I found out when talking to Jack (Afamasaga, Dragons coach) and Corin Smith (Dragons centre) at Western Division training,” he said.

“It’ll be tight. Last year we lost to them by one point then we had two close wins. There’s been a history of close games and we’re preparing for this one to be exactly the same.

“We came up with 19 errors last week, and just about everyone had one. We dug ourselves into a hole with that and it almost too hard to get out. We just need to focus and continue to believe in the structures that we’ve been practising.”

Adam Morton returns to the wing for Pats though Jarrod Tyack’s great debut performance in the position against Cowra sees him retain a place on the bench.

The only other change sees Nick Miller set to return to the front row, pending a fitness test, with Jack Mackey going off the bench. 

The club’s two British imports are also reportedly a month off from joining the side while Tim Holman might not return to the side before the end of the regular season. 

Mudgee Dragons v St Pat’s 

Glen Willow Stadium 

Sunday, May 24

10am – Under 18s

11.15am – First Division 

12.45pm – Leaguetag

1.45pm – Premier Division