That's the word from Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes coach Jeremy Rowe ahead of their clash against Narrandera on Saturday.

The Goannas are languishing in seventh place and must defeat the eighth-placed Eagles at home to be any chance of finals.

Rowe concedes it is time for the Goannas to stand up and be counted.

"It definitely is make or break," Rowe said.

"I think we've been in a couple of circumstances now where we've had this scenario so I don't think this is the first time that we've had this feeling as a team and as a club going into the weekend.

"But without a doubt, up until this point you can put perspective on things and look at what's going on around you and not be too concerned by a slow start but without doubt a loss this weekend would make aspirations to be anything but a competitive football side incredibly difficult."

The Goannas' bye last weekend gave Rowe and his group plenty of time to reflect on the last-start loss to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, where the Lions kicked nine straight goals to run out 55-point winners.

Rowe said there has been no one issue that has been central to his team's downfall.

"Its been an interesting scenario when you're trying to put your finger on exactly what needs to improve," he said.

"I think week to week we've been a side where we've had two or three issues that have been notable during a game and to the player's credit they have gone about fixing those, only for the week after for two or three different issues to pop up to contribute to us not being at our best.

"I think the short term, going into this weekend, there's no question that we need to be much better with our general skill execution but also in regards to the way that we bring the ball forward and inside 50. I think the last thing would be that we need to be a little bit better at dealing with momentum swings when the opposition gets momentum, being able to get the game back on our terms."

MCUE snuck through a clearance late on Friday afternoon for Jordan Doering and he is expected to be a late inclusion to the Goannas' team to face Narrandera.

Doering, 39, played 18 AFL games for Carlton in 2001-02 and has since played football across the country, now being based in Canberra.

Rowe was among the crowd when Narrandera defeated Collingullie-Glenfield Park a couple of weeks back and won't be underestimating Narrandera.

"No question about that. I did manage to get to the Collingullie Narrandera game and I thought they were terrific," he said.

"They got a heap of rebound off half-back, they turned up to every contest and won more than their fare share of 50-50 footy and played like a club that were really up and about and quite passionate about their footy.

"To be honest, with where we're sitting on the ladder, there is zero chance of us underestimating anyone but we certainly won't be underestimating Narrandera this weekend."

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