Consecutive losses to Maitland and Souths have put to bed Macquarie's slim chances of playing semi-final football in 2019.
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Macquarie suffered a 20-10 loss to Souths in the Newcastle Rugby League match at Lyall Peacock Field on Sunday.
Football secretary Steve Woodbridge said the loss meant Macquarie was out of the reckoning for finals football, but there was still plenty to play for.
"It was a tough encounter, but the loss has left the club looking now to build for the 2020 season under new head coach Steve Kidd," Woodbridge said.
That rebuild started now, he said.
Outgoing Macquarie coach Adam Bettridge lamented the expensive price his team continued to pay for errors.
Bettridge said he could not fault his players' commitment, but mistakes again proved costly.
"With only one minute remaining before half time we were down 6-4 and competing very strongly when Souths managed to score right on the bell and kick the goal from the sideline to lead 12-4 going into the break," Bettridge said.
The same thing happened the week before against Maitland, when Macquarie led 12-6 before conceding a try right on halftime and then losing the game.
"As a squad, we need to be able to reduce our mistake rate and defend our mistakes," Bettridge said.
"Against Souths we could not get field position in the second half due to our errors and poor ball handling, but I could not fault our commitment to hold them out for long periods.
"Unfortunately, we could not apply enough pressure on them in that second half to get the win."
Macquarie's heavy injury toll had allowed the club to select several of its younger players in the top grade, which would stand the players and the club in good stead, he said.
Kendyl Fahey, Cam Davies and Alek Hall - who are all eligible to play under-19s - had taken their chances and played very well in first grade, the coach said.
There are no games this weekend. Macquarie's next game is against Maitland at Lyall Peacock Field on Saturday, August 17.
"Hopefully we can get a few players back from injury and we can get a win on the board for our supporters on Old Boys day, and finish the year strongly," Woodbridge said.
