STILL searching for answers after the semi-final loss to Wagga City on Saturday, Temora doesn't have long to regroup.

The Tuskers are preparing to tackle Tumut in the first grade preliminary final this Saturday looking to fire back after the 47-5 loss.

Coach Apenisa Tudulu has been at Kiama this week, but club official Kris Dunstan said the team was still coming to grips with the loss.

A place in the grand final was up for grabs and after a five-game winning streak Dunstan described the loss as "a bit out of the blue".

"It was a disappointing loss on Saturday and we still can't put our finger on where it all went wrong," he said.

"But with a bit of soul searching this week at training we are hopeful that we can bounce back at Tumut."

Dunstan is looking to match the Bulls forwards pack, hoping it will give their back line room to flourish.

"We were a bit flat right from the start, didn't have the usual aggression that we have at the break down and that's something we need to get back against a solid Tumut outfit," he said.

In a testing year for injuries for the Tuskers, fullback Matt Swanston looks to have succumbed to a lingering knee.

It comes after three other season ending injuries, although Campbell Maxwell remains a chance to return before the end of the season.

Dunstan doesn't believe Maxwell's shoulder injury will be recovered in time for the preliminary final, but he could line up if the Tuskers make it through to the grand final.

After getting on a roll last season to claim the first grade premiership, the Tuskers are out to repeat the dose again this season.

However, Saturday's massive loss to Wagga City has put a dent in Temora's plan

Taking on the Bulls in Tumut hasn't been the easiest for Southern Inland clubs this season.

It's something not lost on Dunstan, and he was well aware of what could have been if the Tuskers had of turned up last Saturday.

"Tumut at Tumut is not going to be an easy assignment," Dunstan said.

"We've got to find a way out of the hole and quick."

Tumut also holds the advantage in the head-to-head record this season, coming away from the Temora Recreation Ground earlier this year.

But a lot of football has been played since the April encounter and the traditionally slow Tuskers have found their feet in the second half of th season.

"That was back in round three and Tumut were still emerging then," Dunstan said.

"It was a close game, it was 17-all, but in the last 15 minutes they ran away with it.

"We were ambushed a little bit then, but we know what to expect now."

In a big day of the Bulls, their second grade will also play in the first division preliminary final.