BROTHERS coach Peter Little is adamant they can run the finals gauntlet and contend for the premiership from fifth spot after overcoming their biggest challenge in a month with a 26-18 win over Southcity at Equex Centre on Sunday.
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After a soft draw in recent weeks, the tough hit-out was exactly what the Brothers needed before they begin their finals campaign with an elimination final at Albury on Saturday.
Brothers' halves controlled the game running with the breeze in the second half, with two Dylan McLachlan 40-20s leading to both tries after the break after they led 16-12 at the break.
Southcity lacked the composure required at crucial times, making a number of errors in the hosts' red zone as Brothers won their eighth match in nine games.
Winger Keifer Power scored three tries for Brothers, who made Southcity pay for some lapses in concentration.
A McLachlan intercept try gave Brothers a 10-6 lead midway through the first half before Southcity hit the front 12-10 through fullback Jake Dooley.
But just before halftime Southcity made an error of a 20-metre restart, with McLachlan's kick from the resulting scrum pounced on by centre Jordan Little to give them a 16-12 lead.
Southcity will be on the road against Tumut in Sunday's qualifying final, but could be without prop Hayden Jeans who injured his calf in the early stages.
Little declared it's possible to win four straight games and compete for the title.
"We lost to Gundagai but to be honest we're probably the form team at the moment, I guarantee no one wants to play us in the finals," he said.
"We're looking forward to Albury and it's going to be tough down there on their home turf."
Little said the halves' control of the game was crucial with the win in the second half.
"In the first half going against the wind was really tough and I thought if we could get a lead, it'd be a big part of our game in the second half," he said.
"We talked to Tyson (McLachlan) and Dylan just to manage the game, we had 19 kicks and I don't think we've done that in about fie weeks.
"Personally I think it was the first time the halves controlled the game in the second half and that was massive."
Southcity coach Kyle McCarthy said were guilty of losing focus once they fell behind.
"It was just panicking and trying to play catch-up footy," he said.
"If we don't do that and complete, roll the ball in (the in-goal) and go again, I think we break them down."
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