COOTAMUNDRA are sweating on scans which could rule Luke Berkrey out for the season.

Berkrey injured his sternum against Gundagai on the weekend, with fears the damaging front rower could have broken the bone.

The Riverina representative star only lasted five minutes in the Bulldogs' 48-22 defeat on Saturday and his loss would be a huge blow for the Bulldogs team struggling to keep their place in the top five.

Currently fourth, Cootamundra has Young, Kangaroos and Brothers breathing down its neck.

The Bulldogs have won three of their last five games, but after only recording narrow wins over teams below them, co-coach Grant Boyd admitted all isn't well with the club.

"We haven't shaped up for a number of weeks and I think everyone is starting to realise that," Boyd said.

"We looked pretty sluggish on the weekend and we didn't really turn up to play.

"I think our fitness isn't up to scratch either, which really isn't helping."

Berkrey's injury only adds to Cootamundra's mounting tally - who were without five players on Saturday.

Aka Matapo also didn't see out the clash with the Tigers with a knee injury, Fine Faingaa and Sione Tongia were unavailable and Nick English and Willie Purcell are both injured.

Ben Wittenden is already out with a season-ending knee injury and Boyd thought the club's injury problem was the key behind the slump.

"We are struggling at the moment," Boyd said.

"We have a fair few injuries and struggling to get a full side together which isn't helping our game at the moment.

"When we have our full side on the paddock I think we will be very hard to beat."

With a horror fortnight coming up against Southcity and Albury, the final month of the competition will be crucial for the Bulldogs' finals chances.

Cootamundra have away games against Tumbarumba and Kangaroos either side of the bye, before the last competition game against Junee at Les Boyd Oval.

The match-up with the Kangaroos in round 17 could decide the finals make-up.

"We have a pretty hard draw home so we have to win a few of the five left," Boyd said.

"We would need to win at least two or three of them."

Boyd is expecting to have the services of Tongia to tackle Southcity on Sunday, while Purcell is a chance of a return and the club may have an ace up its sleeve.

Another recruit is in the wings, signing up before the June 30 deadline, and Boyd is hopeful he will soon have another player to call on.