BEFORE last week's loss to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, Mangoplah Cookardinia United-Eastlakes coach Jeremy Rowe said the ensuing fortnight would "tell us whether we're good enough or not".
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And after back-to-back losses to fellow top four sides the Wagga Tigers and Lions, Rowe said a win at ladder leaders Leeton-Whitton this week is non-negotiable if they are to carry any confidence into finals.
The fourth-placed Goannas (2-3) must win to guarantee a finals spot, with Osborne (1-4) still an outside chance of leapfrogging them should they beat the Tigers for a second time this year.
The Crows (4-1) can sew up a top two berth and a double chance in the AFL Riverina Championship finals with a win.
Leeton-Whitton proved too strong for MCUE by 15 points in the opening round and Rowe said a third poor showing must be avoided at all costs to take momentum into finals.
"We thought Tigers were really good the week before and likewise Ganmain, they're high quality teams," he said.
"A loss is something you can deal with in competitive sport, but you at least want to come off feeling like you played somewhere near your best, you complied with your core behaviours and it resembled something you're proud of.
"When you feel like you're below your best and it was a performance that doesn't represent the team or the club, it's rather disappointing, and we feel like that's been the case the last two weeks.
"We're happy with our processes and the guys' desire to find their best footy. The price of a loss is to miss out (on finals) or go in on the back of three losses, and they're scenarios we don't want to deal with. A win is the only option this week."
The Goannas have made a few changes with key defender Tim Smith to return in an effort to quell Leeton-Whitton's in-form key forwards, while Chris Willis will bolster their ruck stocks.
Midfielders Harry Collins (back) and Rhys Mooney (knee) were named to return after missing one and two games respectively.
"Tim's intercepting and communication from the back half will be really important this week, with Leeton playing three key forwards," Rowe said.
"We got to see Leeton in round one and we were very impressed. Pound for one they're as good as anyone, they're very well balanced and don't have many weaknesses.
"I don't think we need to over complicate it, we just need to play with a bit more courage and be willing to make mistakes to try and make the play."
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