Cowra Blues coach Steve Boyd has labelled his side the underdogs ahead of their Central West AFL elimination final against the Dubbo Demons at Mulyan Oval on Sunday afternoon.
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The Blues finished the season in third but have suffered back to back losses to Dubbo, who have taken full advantage of hosting Cowra twice in the past month.
If those results hadn't already created some nerves in the Cowra camp, notable injuries on Saturday to Frank Bright [calf], Mark Dixon [hamstring] and Nathan Worth [ankle] has Boyd handing the Demons this weekend's favouritism.
"We got a bit bashed, we'll see how they've pulled up on Thursday night," Cowra coach Steve Boyd said.
"In the two games up there [Dubbo] they've beaten us, so I'd consider them the favourites especially with our injuries.
"I think every club is struggling towards the end of the season, I imagine they'll be the same, but Dubbo will lift for the finals."
Cowra are yet to lose to their northern rivals at home in 2015.
Two games went down to the wire, with the difference being less than 20 points, and the other was a blow out when the Blues won by 122 points.
If Cowra are going to continue that trend in this Sunday's final, Boyd says he'll need some experienced players to stand up.
He identified Dave Manning, one man who could have a huge influence on the outcome of the match, centre half-forward Brendan Reid, Kim Reid, captain Dan Cain and also 18 year-old Brad McLeish as his side's keys.
"Brendan [Reid] has been fantastic all year, and I expect him to be no different this weekend," said Boyd.
"Brad McLeish has just returned but he's only 18, he's fit and never plays a bad game.
"If I can get the team I want we'll have Manning back, and he's a class player he'll just lack a bit of match fitness.
"These are the blokes I'll be looking to to stand up," he said.
Both sides have struggled this year against the powerhouses of Orange and Bathurst but with season's on the line Boyd expects the clash to be a tough, hard fought contest.
"It won't surprise me whichever way it goes, but we'll be doing everything we can to win."
The Cowra Blues will host the Dubbo Demons in the elimination final on Sunday at 2.30pm at Mulyan Oval.
Meanwhile, in the CWAFL's preliminary final the Orange Tigers will play host to the Bathurst Bushrangers.
Boyd was undecided on the outcome of that match and believes Orange have come back to the pack since the beginning of this year.
"Things have become a lot more even, Orange are still favourites to go all the way but Bathurst are knocking right at their door," he said.
