Newly re-signed Temora coach Jake Wooden says there are valuable lessons out of last week's loss to Marrar but knows they need to heed them quickly - like, by Saturday's local derby at Ariah Park - if they're to get back on track for a top three finish.
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The Kangaroos (fourth) take on the Northern Jets (sixth) desperate to stay in touch with East Wagga-Kooringal (third), who are two points ahead on the ladder and are guaranteed four more with the bye this week.
"That's where we want to be (top three) at the end of the year. You want that double-chance," Wooden said.
"(The Jets), it's not a must-win for us but every game is important. We've still got North Wagga and East Wagga to play, and Barellan, so there's no easy games coming up for us.
"But the Jets this weekend will be a huge game. It's a big rivalry and I think they play good footy against us so we're going to have be at our best for the next month. Two months hopefully."
Against top three opposition this year, Temora are one win from four games. They beat the Hawks but have lost (narrowly) to North Wagga and now gone down to Marrar twice after last week's 19-point loss at Langtry Oval.
"There were some really good points,and some points we need to work on," Wooden said.
"I think our pressure and intensity in the first quarter was really good and at the start of the second it was good as well. But for the last five or 10 minutes of the second quarter we gave a couple of free kicks and the pressure dropped and they jammed three quick ones on us."
Cashing in on momentum is their other concern.
"After half-time, we had our opportunities and we didn't make the most of them so there are things to work on but it's exciting as well - there were a lot of good things to come out of the game," Wooden said.
"Our opportunities is what probably let us down as well, we haven't gone back and put crucial goals through at times. That can hurt the momentum for us when we're doing all the work and not getting the reward for it."
Wooden said a top three finish, which they've managed in his first two seasons in charge, was always the pre-season goal. But right now the aim is simply to get their game right leading into finals.
"Top three is not solely our focus. If we play good, consistent footy (the ladder position) will take care of itself," he said.
The final determination may wait until round 18 when they take on the Hawks at Gumly Oval.
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