The Cherrypickers were blessed with four straight home games in the first five rounds of the season but haven't made it count.

After winning their opening three games, the Cherrypickers have dropped to third on the Group Nine ladder after two similar performances.

First they fell 30-18 against Tumut before unbeaten Southcity extended their perfect start with a 28-24 win at Alfred Oval on Sunday.

Both times Young has been caught on the hop, conceding early points through their middle, before trying to get back into the contest in the second half.

Coach Nick Hall was disappointed by the sense of deja vu.

"We didn't learn from it," Hall said.

"We went out there with a plan and didn't really do it.

"We are not handling the situation, we are not handling changes, we are not handling things that are thrown at us whether it be rucks, interpretation or whatever so we have to handle the game better.

"We have to deal with changes and things that don't go your way.

"We need to have a bit of a look at ourselves as we're all good players and we're working very hard but we have to learn to deal with things."

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With Inoke Vunipola injuring his hamstring in the loss to the Bulls, Hall expects to put his front row depth to the test against Temora at Nixon Park.

However Jake Walker is nearing a return from a foot injury while Zach Starr and the returned Mick Dodson were part of a reserve win.

"We've got good front row stocks in the club so it's an opportunity for someone else," Hall said.

"It is probably where we're being challenged in the middle with winning rucks and handling rucks so perhaps it's an opportunity for a fresh face and a fresh attitude to come in and give us something different."

Young had no problems scoring points in their first two rounds but their attack hasn't had the same fluidity in their next three games despite averaging 18 points.

It's one area Hall wants to see improve.

"It's about being patient and executing calmly to play the long game," he said.

"We've been a little but desperate with the way we are using the ball and panicked so the effort is high but the execution is low which can turn into a messy affair.

"Then the body language gets negative so we just need a calmer exterior and a willingness to go set-for-set and be patient."

Especially with a clash against former playmaker Josh McCrone on the horizon.

McCrone was part of the 'Pickers outfit that won through to the preliminary final last season before returning to his home club.

Temora let their lead slip against Kangaroos before unravelling late to go down 30-10 and Hall expects they will have a point to prove on Sunday.

"They are playing good footy," he said.

"Without seeing the (Roos) game they were winning it, so they were in it up to their eyeballs and I'm sure they will take some confidence out of that.

"They will be cranky with their last 10 minutes so they will be ready to go at home."

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