Cowra Blues may sit in second-last place with a percentage of just 39.42, but Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws coach Steve Grundy is still expecting a tough game.
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Cowra have made its return to the Central West AFL in 2019, after withdrawing in 2018 following its premiership 2017 win.
They've won just one game from six at the halfway mark of the season but Grundy is preparing for Cowra to play its strongest team of the season.
"They'll still be very competitive at home," he said.
"I think we've seen from every team this year, it's been such an advantage [playing at home]. We're expecting them to field a stronger team than they've had all year."
The two teams clashed back in round one, with Outlaws claiming a massive 128-point victory at George Park 2.
However, Grundy believes Cowra has improved steadily since its 22-22-154 to 4-2-26 defeat.
"We only played them in round one, so I imagine they've improved since then. But so have we," he said.
"That's been our message all year, that is control what we can, which is our game. We've improved a fair bit over the past few weeks, so we want to keep that momentum going."
The competition is coming off two consecutive byes, one for the junior representative round and the other for the June long weekend.
Grundy said that has helped his side recover from several injuries, but has affected the side's momentum.
"We were playing pretty good footy before the break, so [the bye] probably did come at the wrong time for us," he said.
"In saying that, it is a long season, so having a week off, clear the mind and do something else can be beneficial to you.
"Looking at the boys this week at training, they're still keen to go. We're all playing good footy, so we're keen to get out there and pick up where we left off.
"My squad has a lot of depth to it this year, so if other blokes get opportunities this weekend, they'll press their case for a spot in the team."
Play at Mulyan Oval gets underway from 2.30pm on Saturday.