A big second half has helped The Rock-Yerong Creek overcome Charles Sturt University on Saturday and keep their top three hopes alive, despite confirmation of more season-ending injuries during the week.
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The Magpies' 9.14 (68) to 4.7 (31) win at Peter Hastie Oval kept them in fourth spot, now behind North Wagga only on percentage after the Saints went down at Ardlethan.
They all stood up and played well as a collective, they played for each other which was a massive step forward for us.
- Brad Aiken, TRYC co-coach
The Magpies went in without big man Dylan Cook and midfielder Mitch Stephenson, whose ankle injuries in last week's loss to the Northern Jets have added them to the long-term injured list alongside Joey Kerin.
Eight minutes before half-time on Saturday, CSU led 2.4 to 0.5 but from that point on, TRYC enjoyed 18 scoring shots to five to get back into the game and then power home.
"It was probably our best second half of footy this year," 'Pies co-coach Brad Aiken said.
"It wasn't pretty footy but we were playing for each other which is something we'd lost a little bit in the last month.
"CSU had a red-hot crack and the way we were able to respond was pleasing."
Aiken said in many of their losses this year - including last week when run down by the Jets - the 'Pies have been unable to wrestle momentum back their way when the opposition takes control.
"The game (against CSU) was on the line straight after half-time. They had the momentum in the first three minutes but we got momentum back," Aiken said.
"We kicked a couple and kept doing the little things, and having some little wins that we normally wouldn't win... that was the difference between this week and last week.
"They all stood up and played well as a collective, they played for each other which was a massive step forward for us."
Will Adams was superb across half-back for the Magpies, taking plenty of marks to cut off the Bushpigs and continue his strong season.
Jack Driscoll played a vital role in the ruck and up forward, where they had nine individual goalkickers on the day.
Aiken said the club was also thrilled with the efforts of two debutants, Tom Collins and Luke Driscoll, who brought run and "didn't look out of place at all".
Lachie Moore led CSU superbly out of the middle again while Harry Wakefield and Max Findlay also worked hard.
The Bushpigs head to North Wagga next week.
TRYC have the bye this week and then play the Saints the following week in a critical encounter. The Saints have a bye in the last round while the 'Pies head to Temora.
The Northern Jets loom large, with an extra game to play. They head to Temora this week, then play East Wagga-Kooringal and Coleambally.
THE TOP SIX:
- Marrar... 14..13..1..224%..92.86(win %)
- EWK...... 13..10..3..144%..76.92(win %)
- N Wagga 14...9..5..157%..64.29(win %)
- TRYC .... 14...9..5..128%..64.29(win %)
- Jets ....... 13...8..5...121%..61.54(win %)
- CSU ...... 13...5..8...78%..38.46(win %)
- ladder positions determined on win percentage this year
Full-time:
TRYC 0.1, 2.6, 4.9, 9.14 (68)
CSU 1.3, 2.5, 3.6, 4.7 (31)
Goals: (TRYC) Todd Hannam 1, Jacob Adams-Wright 1, Shannon Williams 1, Dean Biermann 1, Jordan Prestage 1, Riley Budd 1, Joseph Hancock 1, David Pieper 1, Jesse Cool 1; (CSU) Harry Wakefield 2, Max Findlay 1, Harry Turner 1.
Best: (TRYC) Jack Driscoll, William Adams, Todd Hannam, Jacob Adams-Wright, Dean Biermann, Riley Budd; (CSU) Lachlan Moore, Harry Wakefield, Max Findlay, Connor Kelly, Jack Williamson, Jacob Bell.
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