Coleambally can dare to dream after producing a 47-point final quarter for a stunning comeback victory at Charles Sturt University on Saturday.
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The Blues went from 27 points down at three-quarter-time to three-goal winners at Peter Hastie Oval.
Luke Hillier led the way with five goals in the 13.13 (91) to 11.7 (73) win. His fellow co-coach Curtis Steele acknowledged they're starting very late but they'll hold out hope of an unlikely run at finals.
"We're very pleased. That's the start that we needed to the second half (of the year)," Steele said.
"But it's do-or-die for us. We can't afford to lose any games or it's going to make it very difficult.
"Hopefully we keep winning and it all falls into place. We've got to keep playing our arses off basically and not leave it up to anyone else."
After an even first quarter, the Bushpigs led by a goal at half-time. With five goals to one in the third, they looked set for a move back to fifth.
Ruckman Darcy Mader was dragged briefly after giving away a 50 metre penalty and on return for the fourth quarter, Steele said, "he basically won us the game".
Coleambally took control in the middle and kicked four goals straight after the break on their way to 7.5 for the quarter, while holding the opposition goal-less.
"They probably grabbed their opportunities better in the third quarter but our fourth quarter was the turning point and gives the boys a confidence boost, it shows what footy we can play if we get it together," Steele said.
"Our run-and-carry and our composure was pretty good I thought. We knew when to go and when not to go and hold up the ball and control the tempo.
"We basically pulled the trigger, hit the targets we needed to hit in the corridor and got the handball receives and away we went. It's the best footy we've played all year."
Souring the win, the Blues lost Tom Groves in the first half to a suspected fractured cheekbone. Steele and Hillier both spent plenty of time in the middle with key forward Jade Hodge (three goals) also swapping with Steele.
The challenge is to back it up next week against The Rock-Yerong Creek.
"Our boys are full of confidence at the moment. Hopefully we can upset The Rock and bring us back into a bit of finals contention," Steele said.
CSU were without midfielder Grant Daly for the second half due to a leg injury. Jacob Collingridge kicked three goals for the Bushpigs and Jordyn McCulloch and Harry Turner led their efforts. They sit sixth on the ladder, behind the Northern Jets on percentage.
The Jets and CSU are still two wins clear of Barellan and Coleambally with eight rounds to play.
Full-time:
Coleambally 3.2, 5.4, 6.8, 13.13 (91)
CSU Bushpigs 3.2, 6.4, 11.5, 11.7 (73)
Goals: (Coleambally) Luke Hillier 5, Jade Hodge 3, Shaun Light 2, Curtis Steele 2, Benjamin Donohue 1; (CSU) Jacob Collingridge 3, Harry Turner 2, Angus Blackwood 2, Andrew Corrigan 1, Grant Daly 1, Jacob Bell 1, Max Findlay 1.
Best: (Coleambally) James Lyell, Luke Hillier, Shaun Light, Curtis Steele, Theo Valeri, Darcy Mader; (CSU) Jordyn McCulloch, Harry Turner, Benjamin Browning, Angus Blackwood, Jacob Bell, Cayleb Dunne-Argus.
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