It has been a tough season for the Rhinos as they enter the second half of the season without a win and they are currently sitting in ninth place, nine points behind the eighth-placed Tuggeranong United.

Coach Gabriel Abdala knows the side needs to improve as the team embarks on the second round of the competition.

"Last round against Tuggeranong wasn't pretty for us," he said.

"We are hoping that we are able to turn it around."

Despite the numbers stacking up against the Rhinos, Abdala was refusing to write off the season at this point.

"If we were aspiring to play finals then yes that is out of reach," he said.

"The aim is to get as many wins as we can. We want to try and stay in the NPL1.

"If we get a couple of results and the teams around us drop points, it is a possibility. We have the squad to do it, we just need to get a full complement back out on the park."

The Rhinos will still be without captain Joe Preece who still has a week to serve on his five-game suspension after reacting poorly to be sent off against Canberra FC in the Rhinos last home game.

The Rhinos coach has outlined the next three games as crucial games if they want to have any chance of beating the drop.

"Nine points is a bit of a gap, but this is football, and anything can happen," he said.

"IT's three wins. The games we have coming up I feel that we can get a result.

"Monaro we can, the game earlier in the season against Belconnen was close despite the result and then Woden-Weston."

The one shining light for the Rhinos in the last couple of weeks has been the signing of Irish under 21 international Conor Earley and Abdala was pleased to see the impact the midfielder has had on the squad.

"Conor has been a positive addition to the side and has already shown his experience," he said.

"Without any pushing, he has taken a leadership role within the squad.

"He has tried to be positive and to make an impact and has fitted in straight away."

Earley has played a vital role in setting up a goal in his first game against Canberra Olympic and Abdala will be hoping for more of the same this weekend.

The game against Monaro will get underway at 5.30pm out at the Riverside Stadium in Queanbeyan on Saturday afternoon.

RELATED

***

While you're with us, did you know that The Area News is now offering sports as part of its growing email newsletter service? Our sports email will keep the sports-mad up-to-date with a round-up of all the weekend's sports action - sign up here.