Hewitt replaces Jesse Corcoran in the number nine jumper to take on Albury at Alfred Oval on Sunday.

Coach Roy Jewitt is hoping it's a move that works after using Hewitt in a number of roles already this season.

"His first game at hooker for us we won and he played really well," Jewitt said.

"He gives us good service, his kicking game will be massive out of there and I'm hoping he can get us on the front foot a bit more than last week."

Coming off losses to Southcity and Tumut it's another clash against a top four opponent for the Cherrypickers.

They've only got a win over Brothers and a draw with Temora to their credit so far and things are starting to get desperate for the ninth-placed side who are three points behind the fifth-placed Dragons approaching the halfway point of the season.

Jewitt thought the team struggled to manage the game despite showing good signs against the Blues.

He is looking to change that quickly or risk slipping out of finals contention.

"At the end of the day we really need to win this week otherwise we are going to be pushing to make finals," Jewitt said.

"We've probably got to win four out of our last five games at least and we don't want to leave it too much longer."

James Schiller returns this week at centre

Jewitt is also unsure if Boro Navori or Kye Tiedemann will play in the centre on the other side of the field as he looks for a stronger defensive effort out wide.

"I'm not sure which way we will go just yet," Jewitt said.

"We need to tighten up our edges up in defence.

"We are getting caught out a little bit on the edges."

Meanwhile the Thunder will be looking to keep a firm grip on fourth place.

They are three points behind Southcity and Tumut but also three points clear of Temora and Junee.

They head into the clash unchanged after a big win over winless Cootamundra.

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