The Goannas have only won one game of their last six and have dropped to fourth position on the ladder after a promising start to the year.

Their last two weeks have perhaps been their most disappointing, letting consecutive three-goal leads midway through the last quarter slip to draw with Wagga Tigers, then lose to Leeton-Whitton last Saturday.

It appears to have cost MCUE a double chance in finals but that is the least of Cohalan’s worries.

“The only thing we’re focusing on at the moment is improving our performance. We have been too inconsistent to be considered a top three team,” Cohalan said.

“To be completely honest, we’ve had a terrible run with injuries but we were only third by default, really.

“If we have to play in an elimination final, we’ll play in an elimination final. That’s alright.

“It would be nice to finish third but we haven’t been playing footy over the last month deserving of a top-three finish.

“Hopefully we can improve our performance over the next month.”

MCUE get a chance to get back on track on Saturday when they host the winless Narrandera team at Mangoplah Sportsground.

With Cohalan away at a family wedding, Phil Cohalan and Ryan Price will take over the coaching duties.

Price is the biggest concern on MCUE’s casualty list.

He suffered a rare tear of his anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) and a partial tear of the intraosseous ligament, that holds the tibia and fibula together.

MCUE hope to regain Price for the round 17 clash against Griffith or their first final. They have the bye in the final round.

Trent Cohalan (pectoral) and Paddy Griffin (ankle) are 50-50 chances to return this week, while George and Lachie Kendall are certain to come back into the Goannas’ team to face Narrandera.

“The good news is that, all going to plan, all our injured players should be available at any stage over the next three weeks,” Cohalan said.

“Taking top three or top five out of it, we’re making sure we have a full squad available for finals, which would be the first time that’s happened all year since round one.”

Narrandera led MCUE at three-quarter-time in their earlier meeting this year before the Goannas finished over the top with a big last quarter.

The Goannas have dropped their form since then, but so too have Narrandera, who have not finished with 49 points of the opposition over the past five weeks.

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