And the returning Wagga Tiger believes the club could look back on the final 15 minutes of last week's stirring comeback win over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong as the moment which kick started their season.

The Tigers were starting at a 0-2 record in the six-round AFL Riverina Championship when down nearly four goals midway through the last term.

But their comeback was iced by a Luke Gestier goal just before the siren, putting them right back in the hunt for a finals spot.

Bance, 24, and ruckman Brad Graham returned to the Tigers this year after Victoria's COVID-19 crisis ruled out any hope of a third season with Maribyrnong Park in the Eastern District Football League.

"I reckon it (late comeback) is that defining moment, I think," he said.

"We were grinding away all game and weren't playing bad footy at all, we just couldn't really convert. We worked our way in front for the first time and took the choccies, which was good.

"Ten seconds of footy was the difference between going 0-2, but now we're back in the game a bit.

"I think it's really going to set our season up. All the boys after the game were just pumped, and it was the best win I've ever had.

"Everyone was up and about after it."

Bance said it was a strong response after the Tigers were upstaged by newcomers Osborne in the opening round.

"We took a bit out of it. Personally I don't think we were quite ready for it, to be honest," he said.

"Osborne had obviously set themselves for it and they've played together for a while. We basically had five players in our premiership team from last year in, in so it was practically a brand new team, and we hadn't had a practice game.

"We were definitely better for the run but to their credit they played some outstanding footy on the day."

Bance played midfield in round one but shifted to halfback against the Lions, where he believes he plays his best football.

The Tigers host the competition's only unbeaten team Leeton-Whitton at Robertson Oval on Saturday.

"That's where I'm more suited (half-back) because I missed a big block of training," Bance said.

"We're going to have our hands full this weekend, for sure. Every game is a big game at the moment, there's no weak sides in the competition but after the weekend we should go into the game with some confidence."

"We'll be setting ourselves for it for sure, and we'll be in a pretty good spot if we can knock them off."

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