The Riverina Rhinos will be making their first trip to Canberra for the season when they travel to McKellar Park to take on Belconnen United on Saturday afternoon.
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The side will be without the services of Ally McLeod who is serving a two-game suspension for the straight red card he picked up last weekend while it wasn't good news on the injury front either.
"It looks like Jordan (Bavaresco) has potentially done his ACL," Rhinos coach Gabriel Abdala said.
"If that is the case that is his season over. He is having an MRI in Wagga tomorrow, but it doesn't look good."
Abdala said the task will be made harder by the outs but won't be using that as an excuse.
"Losing those two does mean that we will be up against it already," he said.
"But the boys are ready to take on the challenge and want to take the points."
It does also mean that it will a new look back four for the second time in as many games, but Abdala has confidence in those coming in to fill the spaces.
"That's the joys of coaching," he said.
"We have the players who can play in multiple positions, and we will get Luke Pandolfo back this weekend so he will slot into Ally's (McLeod) spot so it just about finding someone who can fill Jordan's position."
The struggles to finish in the final third have continued to start the 2019 season after they finished last season with just 17 goals and Abdala knows it is an issue that needs to be rectified.
"More than anything it has been out finishing that has been letting us down," he said.
"We are getting the ball up into the final third it is just the execution once we get into that position that needs to improve.
"That is what has hurt us in the last three games against Narrabundah, ANU and Monaro. It really hasn't been as good as we would like."
The problems could be answered with two new players potentially coming into the fold over the next couple of weeks.
"We could have one coming in as early as next week," he said.
"Hopefully with two new players coming into the squad over the next fortnight we will be in a better position."
The under 20s will also be looking to bounce back from a disappointing result last weekend to start their season.
George Pavese found the back of the next, but it wasn't enough as the Panthers were able to come away with a 5-1 win.
The under 20s will take to the field at 12.30pm before the first grade come out to play at 3pm on Saturday at McKellar Park in Belconnen.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
