Leeton-Whitton control their finals destiny and can end the hopes of Coolamon with a final round win over Turvey Park.

The reigning premiers are in fifth position heading into the final round but could drop out if they lose to the Bulldogs, and Coolamon defeat Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong at Kindra Park.

Hodge does not expect Turvey Park to be easy but feels the Crows should win if they are serious about their premiership aspirations.

“Last time we played them, we didn’t have it on our own terms and they made it hard for us,” Hodge said.

“Every side plays better at home so we expect them to be pretty good on their home deck but if we’re fair dinkum about contending during finals then we’ve got to win and win well.

“We’ve used the excuses that we’ve been inconsistent and we’re young but the excuses have got to go now. This is the best side we’ve had all year so we haven’t got any excuses now.”

Isaac Houghton is the only player missing from the Crows team on Saturday. Tyh Evans and Hugh Collins come back in for the final round clash.

Hodge believes the must-win nature of the game will bring the best out in the Crows.

“We’ve shown we can play good footy,” he said.

“The challenge for us all year is being consistent. If anything is going to make you bring that consistency I’m assuming this weekend will. We need to win to play finals footy and we can’t be relying on other teams.

“Coolamon have played some good patches through the year and it’s obviously a Coolamon-Ganmain game which, especially over there, are generally pretty close. We don’t want to have to rely on other teams.

“We’ve just got to go out and win, it’s as simple as that. We don’t want to be making the numbers up, I’ve said all year that our best footy is good enough and I really do believe that.”

Meantime, Coolamon coach Connor Neyland hopes Saturday’s local derby against GGGM is not the Hoppers’ final game of the year.

“We’re not playing as if it’s our last week and we’ll do whatever we can to go forward,” he said.

“Ganmain have had the week off so they will be fighting fit, fresh and gearing up for finals.

“We want to try and make it as hard as possible for them.”

Godfrey Okerenyang comes back into the Coolamon team, while the Lions expect to be close to full-strength for their final hit-out before Saturday week’s qualifying final against Collingullie-Glenfield Park.

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