Minus a couple of key players, including captain Jordan Howard and southern representative team member Lucas Mepham, the Wildcats were always going to struggle against a side currently running second on the competition ladder.

“Jordan is hard to replace,’' Taree president Ben Sedlen said.

“He gives us a lot of go forward and that’s something we certainly lacked against Macleay.’’

He said Rangers have a strong side across the park.

“There’s just so much depth in the club. They have four or five players in reserve grade most other clubs would like to have in firsts,’’ Sedlen said.

Despite this the Wildcats were still in the hunt at halftime. However, the visitors turned on the power in the second section.

Taree now sits on 19 points and fifth on goal averages. They are four clear of sixth placed Camden Haven.

“We play Wauchope this week and we really need to start winning,’’ Sedlen said.

Keeper Curtis Jones, despite conceding four goals, was good for the Wildcats. Josh Douglas was busy at the back and has settled into the first grade side.

“There was no shortage of effort there – but Macleay was just too good,’’ Sedlen said.