The Rock-Yerong Creek dispatched the blues as well as the Blues on Saturday as a 54-point win over fellow finals hopeful Coleambally reignited their campaign.
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After dropping their last two games, and with just two wins in nine matches, the Magpies needed a lift. And that's what they got, as a big finish helped spark belief that they might still have what it takes to return to finals.
"We'll still take it week by week, we've got a long way to go but I think we can build on this," Yates said.
Kicking 1.6 in the first quarter made for nervous beginnings and the Pies still trailed at half-time. But they edged ahead in the third before doubling their total in the last while holding Coleambally scoreless, for an emphatic 12.15 (87) to 5.3 (33) win.
"I don't think it's our best win, our win against CSU was good," coach Tom Yates said.
"But it was similar to that and for the position we were in, to win was fantastic. We needed the four points.
"I said to the boys, it's an elimination final, and to their credit, they stepped up. I couldn't have asked for any more."
Yates said he couldn't single out any individuals. But the coach led from the front, kicking four goals from the midfield in a fine effort.
"I couldn't sit here and name individuals, it was an all-round performance," he said.
"Everyone brought the pressure and intensity. I think last week, against the Jets, we didn't bring it, that man-on-man attitude you could call it, and today we went back to that, and to how we wanted to play, to be first to the ball."
Once the game was there for the taking, TRYC were ruthless, riding their momentum to a percentage-boosting win.
That could help in the long run, but Yates knows they need wins more than anything. And they'll have to up the ante next week if they're to claim another one, at home to an in-form Marrar.
Todd Hannam, Ben Fixter and Cody Bramich all kicked two goals. As well as Yates, Cooper Diessel and Jack Driscoll led their efforts.
Highlighting the competition among the four teams chasing fifth spot, Coleambally had gone to The Rock with hopes of being back in the top five by Saturday afternoon. They ended the day in eighth and, after back-to-back losses, face top three team Temora next week.
Raven Marika kicked two goals in his return for Coleambally while Curtis Steele and Darcy Mader led their efforts on a disappointing day.
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