Only percentage is keeping The Rock-Yerong Creek out of the top three after they celebrated defender Aiden Ridley's 200th game with an important win at Barellan on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After last week's loss to Marrar, the Magpies were wary and led by just five points at half-time against an impressive Two Blues.
However, they got going in the third, booting six goals in the premiership quarter on the way to the 14.14 (98) to 10.9 (69) win.
Coupled with North Wagga's loss, TRYC are now level with Saints on eight wins in 12 games.
"We definitely had to work hard for it, they play a good brand of footy," 200-gamer Aiden Ridley said.
"After a pretty poor second quarter, we got a bit of a roll-on and kept going with that momentum."
"It was a good win to get out there... I'm just glad we got the win. It sets us up in the top five in a way."
With Joey Kerin gone for the season and Joe Hancock a late withdrawal (shoulder), Dean Biermann rediscovered some form, with three goals and a big game at centre-half-forward, while skipper Mitch Stephenson added drive out of half-back and talented ruck Jack Driscoll is setting in.
"He showed a few signs that he just needs a bit more game-time with a few of us."
Riley Budd returned to the midfield and played a strong role.
Ridley said being on track for finals and in the mix for the top three has made his return to TRYC an enjoyable one.
"It's really good. They're my only two senior footy flags, at The Rock, so I've made some lifelong friends," Ridley said.
"From never coming through The Rock at all to playing 200 games, it's pretty special."
The win set up a big occasion next weekend when the 'Pies host the Northern Jets in a one-off Sunday showdown, with both sides now hoping to chase a top three finish.
TRYC 4.4, 6.7, 12.12, 14.14 (98)
Barellan 2.1, 6.2, 7.3, 10.9 (69)
Goals: (TRYC) Shannon Williams 4, Dean Biermann 3, Michael Cummins 2, Heath Russell 1, Jack Driscoll 1, Scott Wolter 1, Aiden Ridley 1, Cooper Diessel 1; (Barellan) Darcy McDermott 2, Matthew Wells 2, Jeff Mickan 1, Jack Hillman 1, Sean Ellis 1, Ben Cleaver 1, Josh Brittliff 1, Emerson Cody 1.
Best: (TRYC) Mitchell Stephenson, Dean Biermann, Scott Wolter, Aiden Ridley, Riley Budd, Jordan Kemp ; (Barellan) Sam Foley, Mitchell Gorman, Darcy McDermott, Ben Cleaver, Sean Ellis, Marcus Lawrence.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Sign up for our newsletters here
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News