Group 10 Rugby League: St Pat's chase revenge against Mudgee Dragons at Wade Park

There's a bit of buzz back in the ranks of the Saints who showed what they could do with a healthy squad and the right attitude towards the game during a big win over Lithgow Workies last round.

Now they want to bring a similar brand of football in Saturday's second magic round of the season against Mudgee Dragons at Wade Park.

Dragons are hurting after a heavy defeat to Orange Hawks last round and it's an opportunity for Pat's to take down a team trying to put the pieces back together.

"We're coming in confident, which we deserve to be after the way we played against Lithgow. We defended well and we won't to try and take that into this game," Pat's coach Zac Merritt said.

"Mudgee come into this off a loss but we know that they'll bring in a strong squad and they'll want to amp it up to try and knock us off."

A strong sign for the Saints last week against Workies was their ability to put together two consistent halves of football - something that's been lacking in their repertoire this season.

Merritt, who was one of several players who returned to a bolstered Pat's squad last round, said having the legs to see out the full 80 minutes has been a high priority for the team.

"The big thing through pre-season was us working on our fitness. I've seen in previous years where we haven't been fit enough ... and we've been blown off the paddock in the second half," he said.

"On the weekend we loosened our play up. If we saw something then we went for it. That's the brand of footy I want to play against Mudgee.

"It's great when you get players back who have done some big things in bush footy. The boys looked a lot more relaxed out there."

Virtually nothing could separate Pat's and Dragons last time they came together this season.

The Saints were on track for a close win at home before Mudgee snatched victory away from the Bathurst men with the last play of the game.

Merritt has an idea of what Dragons will bring to Wade Park but he won't be spending too much time thinking about his opposition.

"I believe Harry Siejka is still out but you know they're always going to bring their A-game. I'm sure the weekend gone was just a hiccup for them," he said.

"Every time I've played against Mudgee they've turned up with a solid game. We want to turn up and keep the confidence going that we got out of that Lithgow game.

"I'm keeping focused on us this week, and I'm not too worried about them."

There's a couple of changes to the Pat's lineup this weekend.

Joey Coughlan makes his return to the team and Ash Cosgrove will be back with the Saints after being released by the Penrith Panthers.

Former Saints grand final hero Banji John comes onto the Pat's interchange.

Pat's and Dragons will get things underway at the magic round from 11.30am.

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