The Rock-Yerong Creek coach Tom Yates asked for effort and got the answers he was looking for as the Magpies snapped a six-game losing streak with an upset win against the Northern Jets on Saturday.
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TRYC went to Ardlethan desperate to make amends for their horrendous day at North Wagga last week, and did exactly that, leading from start to finish for a hard-fought 9.8 (62) to 7.7 (49) victory.
The result – their first win since round one at home to Barellan – keeps the Pies within two wins of the top five, and ensures they’ll hit the half-way mark of the season with two wins to their name.
“We just spoke about effort and having that belief in the group,” Yates said.
“Obviously we’ve been down for a few weeks. We just really emphasised that it was a must-win game, do-or-die.
“It was a massive relief and really exciting when we won.
“The second half was a really hard slog and it was a really grinding win.”
Under sunny skies to start with, the visitors opened strongly, with the only three goals of the first quarter.
But the Jets came with a reply after the break.
They kicked five goals to two in the second quarter to be within two points, and it was game-on.
“At half-time, I spoke to the boys and said that’s where we went away from our structures and our game plan,” Yates said. “We needed to get back to the basics and how we want to play.”
The return of Michael Coombes, Casey Hillary and Aiden Ridley made a big difference to the Pies’ defence, as the rain came and the match turned into a tussle.
The Jets trailed by a goal at three-quarter time and despite the best efforts of ruckman Matt Carroll and the experienced Chris Bell, couldn’t close the gap.
Pies Justin Driscoll and Todd Hannam came up with important goals as they held on to win by 13 points.
Ben Farrell and Yates led TRYC’s midfield efforts and Jordy Kemp’s return was good until he suffered another ankle injury.
It wasn’t what they needed but Yates hopes the Pies have some casualties coming back in while David Pieper played reserve grade to get some touch in his second game back from a suspension.
TRYC take on East Wagga-Kooringal next week.
The Jets are guaranteed four points with the bye. They hold sixth spot on percentage from the Pies, but are eight points behind CSU.
