The Emus suffered a hefty 45-8 loss to Narromine on the weekend to push the men in green one point outside the top five.

Emus co-coach Matt Greatbatch said it was disappointing to lose but his side was simply no match for the Gorillas on their home turf.

“We just got blasted,” Greatbatch said.

“Narromine are a very handy side. Their backs carved ours up in the first half. By the time we fixed that up at the break it was pretty much already over. Narromine were just too good for us.”

Winger Ben Ruddy scored Emus’ only try and Nik Granger kicked a penalty goal for their eight points.

Greatbatch said his forwards played well but struggled in the line-out without second-rower and jumper Nick Hughes-Clapp.

Emus were also on the wrong end of a 20-9 penalty count and had two players sin-binned during the game.

“We have been playing good footy, but we haven’t in the last couple of weeks,” Greatbatch said.

Emus are sixth on the competition table on 42 points, one point behind fifth-placed Dubbo Rhinos.

The Orange side will host cellar-dwellers Parkes in the final round this weekend.

A bonus-point win is essential for the Emus if they want to be any chance of making the semi-finals.

Rhinos will have a challenge ahead of them as they host fourth-placed Forbes.

Top three sides Dubbo Kangaroos, Bathurst Bulldogs and Narromine are the only teams that have cemented their place in the semi-finals.

Forbes, Rhinos, Emus and CSU Bathurst are all fighting to decide fourth and fifth spot.