Some people might find the idea of Shaun McHugh owing something to the Dubbo Kangaroos a ridiculous notion.
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One of the club's best players for the past decade, McHugh has been part of a premiership win, led by example when captaining the side, and left everything out on the field week after week.
But after battling illness in the Blowes Clothing Cup round one loss to Bathurst Bulldogs and failing to last the 80 minutes, the Central West representative spoke honestly and said he wants to make it up to his side in this weekend's clash with the defending premiers, Orange Emus.
"I got some sort of stomach bug that stuck with me for a week and I dropped a few kilos," McHugh said of the lead-up to round one.
"I probably shouldn't have played, to be honest. It was a bit selfish of me and I just wanted to be out there.
"It did me no favours and it did the team no favours but I'll make it up to them.
"I trained no worries this week and I'm right to go."
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If there was one game McHugh could choose to lift in and lead his side to victory, it would be this one.
Emus have been the standout competition in the Blowes Clothing Cup for most of this decade, having played in the past five straight grand finals and winning three titles along the way.
The defending premiers picked up where they left off when winning in round one last weekend, shrugging off a number of injuries to score victory away at Forbes.
The trip to Endeavour Oval is an imposing one, continuing the Roos' difficult start to the season.
"There's no soft starts," McHugh said.
"You could say we've got the toughest, having the two teams from the grand final to start but we're excited and looking forward to it."
While highlighting the back line and in particular Lachie Harris, Tom Green and captain Nigel Staniforth as real dangers, McHugh said Saturday's game will all come down to the forwards.
The Emus' pack has been the benchmark for a number of years but the Roos' new-look patch showed real promise in patches against the Bulldogs last round.
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"The forwards have set the platform for five years. They get good ball and the backs take over from there," McHugh said of Emus.
"If you can't compete with the forwards then you're no chance.
"Everyone is aware how good their backs are but the forward pack has not let them down once the last few years."
The Roos will be without unavailable fullback Anthony Golding on Saturday while Angus Howard is out after dislocating his shoulder in round one.
Saturday's match kicks off at 3.15pm at Orange's Endeavour Oval.