The 20-14 loss at Laurie Daley Oval sees the Diesels slip to seventh on the Group Nine ladder, four points adrift of fifth place.

Captain-coach Trent Schubach thought the side were their own worst enemies.

It's something he's looking to correct quickly.

"We just couldn't hold onto the footy and it was probably the most frustrating game of the year," Schubach said.

"We got a but frustrated between ourselves as we knew how bad we were playing.

"I think we only completed three sets in the whole of the second half and you can't win games of footy doing that."

The Diesels were at full strength for the first time this season, but struggled to impose themselves on for consistent periods.

Schubach thought the team tried too hard to get things going with plenty on the line.

"I think it comes down to overplaying our hand and maybe trying a bit too hard," he said.

"We need to simplify things a bit more and have everyone just do their role to make it a bit easier on each other.

"We were pushing passes that didn't need to be pushed and dropping simply footy you shouldn't be doing playing first grade."

The six-point loss created a four-point gap to the top five at the halfway point of the season.

With a string of tough games ahead it's crucial the Diesels can bounce back up against Cootamundra at Laurie Daley Oval.

"We've probably got to win our next couple of games to get back into contention but have to take it week-by-week," Schubach said.

"We definitely need to win this weekend."

After the clash with the winless Bulldogs at Laurie Daley Oval on Sunday, the Diesels tackle top four teams Southcity, Tumut and Albury in successive weeks.

Temora face the same trio in their next three games

In a rarity this season, the Diesels look to have come through the clash without any injury concerns.

Junee scored a 36-24 win when the two teams met to start the season, but Cootamundra haven't got within 20 points of victory in their last seven games.

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