And so it proved for the Wagga Tigers on Saturday, whose prime movers overran Leeton-Whitton late to inflict the first loss of the season on the Crows with a 9.13 (67) to 5.8 (38) win at a sodden Robertson Oval.

The Tigers' strong finishes to the second and third quarters, where they kicked two goals deep in time on in each, effectively proved the difference.

The result, plus Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong's win over Osborne and Mangoplah-Cookardinia United's defeat of Turvey Park, means the top four teams now have a 2-1 record before they play each other in a crucial round next week.

Leeton-Whitton camped themselves inside their attacking 50 metres for a long period in the second quarter, but couldn't find a goal.

The Tigers made them pay with goals to Luke Gestier and Shaun Campbell, who finished with three, just before the major break to build a 16-point lead.

Leeton-Whitton closed the gap early in the third through a nice finish from Nathan Ryan, but the Tigers again pounced with two late goals to take a three-goal lead at the final change.

Two more early goals in the final quarter from the Tigers virtually sealed the game.

Campbell was outstanding for the Tigers, while Harry Radley, Will Keogh and Jake Gaynor were also influential.

The Tigers played most of the game with two men on the bench after Shaun Flanigan (groin) and Jim Grills (eye) didn't return after quarter time.

Grills was taken to hospital to assess the damage after copping a poke to his eye, but has been cleared of serious injury.

The Crows also lost Jayden Lehman (shoulder) and Sam Hopper (knee) in the final term, and were already without a host of key players including coach Daniel Muir, John Spina. Bryce O'Garey, Lucas Meline and Coopa Steele.

Muir said he expects all of those players to return against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong next week.

Maiden said the back end of the second and third quarters was vital in getting the result.

"It's good we're finishing the quarters strong. With the big break everyone had from training it's a good sign," he said.

"Something we spoke about was we need to crack in at the stoppages, and I thought it was pretty evenly matched there.

"I thought Shaun (Campbell) was outstanding with his work around the stoppages and around the contest.

"And our back six did a great job. The footy was still coming down there plenty, and they kept repelling it."

Muir said they didn't take their chances when they needed too late in the second and third terms.

"We were pretty competitive for most of it, but in the last quarter we got away from our structures and their class onballers really took over the game," he said.

"We had repeat inside 50s and couldn't capitalise on the scoreboard. They kicked a couple just before halftime and again in the third quarter, which was a big swing in the game."

Wagga Tigers 2.2 5.6 7.8 9.13 (67) def Leeton-Whitton 2.4 2.8 4.8 5.8 (38).

Goals: Wagga Tigers - Shaun Campbell 3, Luke Gestier 2, Nathan Cooke, Jake Gaynor, Brayden O'Hara, John Buchanan; Leeton-Whitton - Jade Hodge 2, Cooper Sharman, Nathan Ryan, Jeromy Lucas.

Best: Wagga Tigers - Shaun Campbell, Reid Gordon, Charles Bance, Harry Radley, Will Keogh; Leeton-Whitton - Ryan Grey, Mason Dryburgh, Jeromy Lucas, Joshua Thomas, Matthew Rainbird, Cooper Sharman