The Kangaroos were fourth after the preliminary rounds, but let leads slip against Saturday’s opponents Wollongong Bulldogs and league heavyweights Kiama.

However, the new format allows the Roos an opportunity to effectively start again, hoping to land a major blow at Figtree Oval. 

“It’s just about breaking that mentality,” Ryan said. 

“We have a lot of faith in how we go about it, but we just need to beat one of the top teams to believe we can do it. 

“The thing about the new format is you know it’s going to be tough every week and that’s the challenge for us.

“We learned a lot from the last time we played (the Bulldogs), but we need to correct it and hopefully we can finish it off on Saturday."

The Roos led by two goals at three-quarter-time, before conceding by five points at Keira Oval in April.

Elsewhere, Shellharbour take on undefeated premiers Wollongong Lions.

The Suns pushed the Lions more than any other team last month, when they were within six points at half-time, before falling 22 points short.

Scott McAndrew kicked three and Steve Ashworth two in a beaten cause, as Fred David booted five for the Lions in the absence of the competition’s leading goalkicker James Adamson.

Kiama meet Northern Districts, who scraped into the top six in dramatic circumstances.

AFL SOUTH COAST

Round 10

KIAMA v NORTHERN DISTRICTS at Bonaira Oval (2pm)

WOLLONGONG LIONS v SHELLHARBOUR at North Dalton Park (2pm)

FIGTREE v WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS at Figtree Oval