East Wagga-Kooringal will head into finals with the luxury of the double chance and the satisfaction of self-belief after a 20-point comeback victory against Temora on Saturday.
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The Hawks had to dig themselves out of some trouble at Gumly Oval but four goals to none in the last quarter did just that, securing a 9.9 (63) to 6.7 (43) win and third spot on the ladder.
While EWK booked a qualifying final date with Marrar, the Kangaroos are now on a sudden-death path in finals, and will go into Sunday's game against Coleambally at Maher Oval off consecutive losses for the first time this season.
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Temora had the early advantage, on the scoreboard at least, kicking three goals to five behinds in the first quarter.
The Hawks had yet another miss before their first goal in the second and the Kangaroos stretched a 13-point quarter-time lead to 15 by half-time, and were still a kick clear by the last break.
"We had our opportunities and missed a few we should've kicked but I thought the score didn't reflect the way we were playing," Hard said.
"We knew that if we kept giving ourselves a chance, hopefully the tide would turn, which it did. It was pleasing that we didn't go away from what we were doing and we ended up getting in front when it counted."
With Chris Gordon the master in the middle, Nick Hull rucking well and their back six working to close down Temora's two key forwards, Matt Harpley and Jacob Turner, the Hawks got on top.
They went a point in front early in the fourth quarter and refused to look back, keeping the Kangaroos goal-less and riding their momentum home.
Four goals in a quarter, for the first time this month, was a big lift heading into next Saturday's final at McPherson Oval.
"It was a good even performance and everyone played their role which is what needs to happen," Hard said.
"Obviously Temora are a side we respect greatly and they've been playing some good footy so for us to finish off strong, it was probably the win we needed to get a bit of confidence in grinding away against a good side.
"We'll take plenty out of that but we know the real stuff starts now so we'll have to move on pretty quickly.
"We're happy to be in the position we are but it's game on now."
It was EWK's first win against another top-four side since they beat North Wagga back in round three. Tom Pocock and Max Tiernan played good roles at the back and Brocke Argus was dangerous again.
The league's leading goalkicker, Chris Ladhams, kicked two to finish with 61 from 14 games, 10 clear of Northern Jets' Matt Wallis.
Ruckman Joe Tegart kicked four of Temora's six goals while Jeff Mannell and Will McMartin led their efforts in the middle of the ground and Max Richardson was good across half-back.
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