They started with six-straight away games as a result of the March floods, then returned home for one week before last week they were forced out of Regional Stadium for the immediate future when the venue was turned into a COVID-19 testing clinic.

Coach David Geary knows while it meant they had to shift home games to Wauchope and run the risk of playing minimal matches in front of their own fans, they simply had to get on with it.

"What we've tried to instil all year is that mental toughness that whatever gets put in our way we'll be able to be better than it," he said.

"There's nothing we can do about it so we've just got to get on with it.

"Once the game starts it's just a game of footy so it's more the financial side for our club that's disappointing. We can't get as many people through the gate or have as much canteen and beer sales."

Port Macquarie are again on the move to Lank Bain Sporting Complex on Saturday when they tackle Macleay Valley, but no doubt will be buoyed by a 40-14 victory in round four.

"That was one of our better performances ... we were clinical that day and only made a couple of mistakes late in the second half which allowed them to score," Geary said.

"But Kempsey will be better on Saturday. Every team will be better for the rest of the season now they've had some football under their belt.

"We need to be sharp at this end of the year and it starts this weekend."

The Sharks will be understrength with halfback Brayden Reid unavailable due to a foot injury while a question mark hangs over the fitness of Fletcher Strong.

Scott Grant (injury) and Chris Piper (suspension) are also expected to return in coming weeks.

Geary was cautious of the Mustangs who cruised past Taree City 46-12 in their last match on June 27.

"They play the same style of football all the time and it's really hard to defend especially when a lot of the things they do come off," he said.

"But it will be more about what we can do and how we get into that grind. I'd love to see a good, clinical game where we do everything correct that we've been working on with our defence.

"I just want to see us grind out a game."

Saturday's first grade clash kicks off at 3pm with ladies league tag to start the day of action at 11.30am.

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