Charles Sturt University fear their finals hopes could slip through their fingers even before the halfway point of the season unless they can arrest a worrying slide in confidence as well as form.
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Bushpigs coach Pat Noonan has welcomed the unexpected return of midfielder Rob Herzfeld for Saturday's home game against the Northern Jets as his side searches for the spark to turn their fortunes around.
A loss would see last year's finalists slip three wins behind the Jets (who are fifth) heading into round nine. It's a crunch game and, with just one win in the first six rounds, it's the first of many.
"Oh, I think it goes without saying that every game for us now is massive," Noonan said.
"We really need to pull some Ws out. Every game for us now feels like it's do or die. We need to start pulling it back"
Herzfeld's university commitments have taken him to Victoria this year but he's back for an exam, just as the Pigs face a serious test of character.
"Rob's got an exam so he came back and he's happy to play. And we've got a couple out, so it's handy," Noonan said.
The exciting and consistent midfielder hasn't been playing, and the Bushpigs think it's unlikely he'll be available later in the year. But he could be just what they need right now.
"He trained last night and he hasn't changed. He's still an awesome player," Noonan said.
"I just want Rob to be Rob. He's got an infectious energy that he brings. That's what he brought last year and hopefully he brings it on Saturday and can bring back that feeling that we had last year to the team."
CSU have been in a winning position against top-four teams Temora, North Wagga and Marrar. Noonan said they're going back into their shell when things start to turn against them. Last week they lost by five goals at The Rock.
"We need to turn up, first and foremost. Top be honest, I don't think we've been turning up for the last month or two," he said.
"We've got a pretty tidy side on paper but haven't been able to put it together... there's just a different feeling compared to last year and we need to get that back."
The Bushpigs have lost co-captain Brayden Ambler to an ankle injury for this week as well as Max Hanrahan and Max Nicolson.
But, along with Herzfeld (named in a forward pocket), Nick Wright comes on to a half-forward flank.
Noonan says the midfield will be a critical battleground to stop the Jets' classy on-ball brigade finding a path to forward Matt Wallis, who kicked six last week.
"Mainly it's going to be the midfield with Mitch (Haddrill) and those guys (Jack Fisher, Chris Bell). We need to limit their access of getting it clean into the forward line because Wallis can kick a heap of goals," Noonan said.
Noonan said a lack of experience has also hurt so was pleased to welcome Wayde Archibald back last week against TRYC, playing up forward and through the middle.
The Jets are without full forward Dave Hand due to injury.
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