The Hoppers defeated Tocumwal 12.14 (86) to 2.3 (15) on Saturday to snare their fourth win in six games, with a bye looming next round set to help the side recharge for a finals tilt.
With matches against Rennie, Waaia and Deni Rovers on the run home though, the Hoppers will have to be at their best to hold on to eighth spot.
‘‘The boys are tracking all right,’’ Yarroweyah co-coach Geoff Benson said.
‘‘We’re just trying to get a winning culture back around the club.
‘‘We’ll have to pinch one of the last three to make it which is fine, you don’t want to make finals and just be making up numbers, you want to be playing good footy.
‘‘We still have a few injuries, probably six blokes out, but we’ve got the bye this week.
‘‘The mood is very positive, the boys can see where we’re going.
‘‘We’ve built our style of game around contested footy, so every win’s a grind, but that’s the way it’s got to be — we’re not a quick side.’’
It was a grind which greeted the Hoppers on Saturday, piling on six goals in the first term and managing the same number across the final three quarters in tough conditions.
‘‘The ground was under water, it was tough going,’’ Benson said.
‘‘Marcus Hill was best on ground by a country mile and young Shaun Greenway just keeps going from strength to strength.’’
Corey Percy, Keegan Oliver, Jack Greenway and fellow co-coach Andy Jones were also impressive for the victors, with the latter snaring four majors.
For the Bloods Scott Baldwin and Tom Whytcross kicked a goal apiece.
● In other matches, Katamatite defeated Jerilderie 9.10 (64) to 6.2 (38) and Waaia had the better of Katunga 12.13 (85) to 6.4 (40).
Charlie Burrows did the damage for the Bombers with four majors as Daniel Clarke, Dylan Cornick and Connor Brown also stood out.
Jacob Hodgkin played a lone hand for the Swans in attack with five goals as Mitch and Dylan Sidebottom also impressed.
Brodie McDonald booted six goals for the Tigers as John Woodcock, Nic Clurey and Bryce Stephens ran rampant, while Nick Parker (three goals), Jordan Anthony (two) and James McRae battled hard for the Demons.
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