The team will be without both Zac Adams and Nathan Orr as well as lamenting the probable loss of Todd Munn for the season.

Hamish Bryant and Tom Lewsley will return for the Dragons this Sunday in a much needed boost.

A win against the vastly improved Lithgow team is a must this week with only three games remaining – against Workies, Cowra, Panthers – and a home semi up for grabs.

The Dragons 18s  remain in second position. despite their 18-12 loss to Orange CYMS on the weekend. 

A minor premiership is still not out of the question but they will need to win this week against third placed Lithgow.

The first round game at Lithgow (Dragons won by 2 points) was one tough encounter and this one is sure to be no different. 

A gala day is planned at Glen Willow on Sunday. 

The Dragons will also host the junior Dragons at various times starting from 9am. League Tag kicks off at 10.30am.

Mudgee 17s play for a spot in the finals when they face Gilgandra in the semi-final at 11.30am.

The 18s kick off at 12.45pm and Premier League kick off at 2.15pm.

With all five semi-final places now confirmed, the second-last round of the New Era Midwest Cup will focus on the match of the round between CSU and Villages United at the on-campus Diggings Field.

In equal fourth position on the competition table on 20 points, the battle between the two clubs could decide who finishes second after the following week’s final round of matches.

Both clubs will have games in the last round that could leave them with losses, so the importance this week will be for a win to strengthen their position going into round 15 and the end of the regular season.

Orange Barbarians are six points adrift of these two clubs in fifth spot and is no threat to second or third position, but current second-placed Wallerawang, involved against CSU next week, will need a win on Saturday against Lithgow Bears to barricade their position.

Leading the competition by only one point, Blackheath are still only in a tenuous situation, and take on Kandos at Waratah Park.

In the other game Lithgow Giants play Portland Colts at Lithgow. This week’s round will be the final game of the season for the Giants who will take the final-round bye.

In the Castlereagh Cup, Gulgong Terriers will be looking to cement their place in the competition top four. 

Gulgong are only two points behind the competition leaders, Coonamble, after their convincing win over Trangie at Billy Dunn Oval on Saturday. 

After a bye last week, Dunedoo will be out to repeat the previous week’s resounding home ground win over Coolah. 

Coolah, still languising at the bottom of the table, have a bye this week. 

In other Castlereagh League matches, Coonamble plays Trangie and third placed Gilgandra plays Warren, 

Coonabarabran, currently in fourth place, plays Baradine.