A big third quarter from Charles Sturt University has kept a small flicker of light burning in the Bushpigs' window to finals, while blowing out The Rock-Yerong Creek's.
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Midfielder Lachy Moore inspired CSU to an impressive 16.8 (104) to 6.14 (50) win which improved their percentage and keeps them two wins outside the five with two games to play - against the teams who stand between them and finals - Coleambally and the Northern Jets.
"It was really good. It all clicked into place in the third quarter but we've been leading up to that the last few weeks with the good footy we've been playing," CSU coach Pat Noonan said.
"I think our ferocity has been good lately, not getting bullied off the ball and things like that, and I think our boys are starting to really gain confidence."
The Magpies tried to wrest control early in the contest and led at quarter-time. But the Bushpigs warmed up in the second to lead by 11 points at half-time, and then fired up in the third, putting it away with seven goals to none.
As he has been all season, Moore was outstanding for the Pigs, while centre-half-back Joe Stapleton also continued his good form.
"Our run off half-back was awesome all day and our midfield was fantastic, especially Lachy Moore in there - he had a blinder of a game," Noonan said.
Moore and Angus Blackwood both kicked four goals, for half their tally, while CSU kept the Pies to one goal in the second half.
It means TRYC"s season will end against East Wagga-Kooringal next week, but the Bushpigs aren't fussed on talking up their finals hopes yet, given it's not entirely in their control.
"We're not saying we're in or out. We're saying let's focus on next week and go from there," Noonan said.
But with Coleambally to play Marrar next week and the Jets to meet North Wagga in the last round, CSU can hold out hope that if they can beat the Jets and Blues, leapfrogging into fifth isn't out of the question.
Jim Carroll has just about had a mortgage on the Pies' best all season and delivered again, while Scott Wolter, Cooper Diessel and Cody Cool all had a crack.
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