"We just want to put our best foot forward and return home with the win," he told the Singleton Argus this week ahead of this weekend's sixth vs. seventh clash against Murrurundi.

For Roberts, who admits he'll be sidelined after receiving thumb surgery this week, he hopes a win against his club's long distance rival will propel his club ahead of the 2020 season.

"We have a lot of people that work shift work and that absolutely kills us across the board," he reflected.

"2019 was a rebuilding year for us and it was honestly hard to get a lot of players across to the club but it's onwards and upwards to next year after this weekend."

Jesse Slavin (ankle) and Tyler O'Grady (unavailable) will join Roberts' on the absentee list as will Alex Kowalski who retired from club level last week.

However the league stalwart will still represent the Polish national team in its first-ever International match on September 28.

"He (Kowalski) came up with me and had a chat and said his knees are not what they used to be so he wanted to finish the season on a high," he explained.

"I said that's totally up to him because that's totally up to him to play over there.

"He had a chat with the boys about this decision a few weeks ago and everyone was happy with that."

The Colts were unable to match the Mavericks when going down 12-24 in Round 8, this year.