And the bid to keep their season alive could rest on the abilities of three Darwin teenagers who headed south for an adventure in the Farrer League this season.

Danny Benger and Shannon Charlie, both 19, arrived at the start of the year and Jacon Lampton, who’s just turned 18, joined them a few weeks later.

In fact, Lampton’s first game was the heart-breaking one-point loss to the Bushpigs at Ariah Park, a result which has contributed to the Jets’ needing a big finish to make the five.

It was a rough welcome to a different style of football.

“It's been pretty good, more contested footy, I reckon. More physical. But I’m enjoying it,” winger Lampton said.

In a team which lost star player Mitch Haddrill and was without midfielder Jack Fisher for a few weeks as well as Josh Avis, the young recruits have had to shoulder some responsibility, with Charlie going through the midfield. 

But the move – living in Coolamon, working in Wagga and playing at the Jets – has been a learning curve, from cooking and cleaning to learning to play in a new team.

“Ever since we first came down, all the boys got around us. After playing with them for a couple of months we’re getting used to each other’s game style so on the field it's starting to work out,” forward flanker Benger said.

The three may all get free rein and go forward in search of goals against CSU. Jets coach Mitch Robinson has been rapt in what they’ve brought to the club. 

“They’ve been massive for us, they add a lot of excitement especially for the supporters coming to watch. But they’ve been so big for us, even just having three more numbers at training,” Robinson said. 

“But they’re three great kids, great personalities and what they’ve been doing on the field – they’re only 19 and 18 – in a few years time they’re going to be good little players.”

Last week, Robinson said, the Jets fielded 13 players under the age of 20. Missing that experience can be a challenge in the big moments of a season.

Andrew Bonny’s return helps but they lose exciting midfielder Codan Frankel for a game they must win to stay in the hunt for fifth against a hot Bushpigs team. 

“Massive,” Robinson said of the challenge.

“Obviously they’re going in with a fair bit of form. They were really good last year and they’re getting better as this year goes on. 

“They’ve got some good players in form too – obviously (midfielder) Louis Miller will take a bit of shutting down and they’ve got some good strengths in their big men.”