Lesson learned: Mustangs coach calls for no complacency in battle with Pirates

"You can't afford to be complacent in this competition," Lardner told the Argus.

"Whether you're up against the top or bottom team, you need to turn up and be ready to play."

Lardner admits his side turned up "expecting to win" when they faced the Bulls last round and they almost paid the price.

"We were lucky to escape and could have easily lost," Lardner said.

"It would have undone the hard work we have put in to get in the current position we are."

The Mustangs are in equal first with Wauchope and face the last-placed Old Bar Pirates this Sunday.

Lardner is urging his players to turn up with the right mindset and play to their potential.

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"I want to go out there and put a bit of a score on them," Lardner said.

"I don't want to take any team lightly. We need to play our own game and focus on improving each week."

Macleay Valley will have a reshuffled backline for the next four matches after fullback Owen Blair was suspended for a dangerous throw.

Jeremy Taylor, who returned to the Mustangs in their match against Wauchope, will move from halfback to fullback while Tyreece Sines will shift back to the number seven jersey after spending the last two weeks in the centres.

Lardner said it's a massive blow to lose Blair for the next four weeks but is thankful the side has the depth.

"I am devastated to lose Owen. He is the spark in the team and has the ability to create something out of nothing," he said.

"It's a blow to any side to lose someone of that talent but we are lucky to have Jeremy who has played a lot of fullback for the Mustangs in the past and Tyreece who played great at halfback to start the season to fill in while Owen's gone."

The Mustangs host the Pirates at Verge St Oval this Sunday with the first grade contest kicking off at 3pm.

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