Temora are still hunting for their first top-four win to keep their season alive after letting a chance slip against Gundagai on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dragons face a tough run into the finals, with games against each of the top four teams in the last month, as they look to keep Kangaroos at bay and hold onto fifth spot.
However after electing not to make the trip to Albury on Sunday when the ground was changed due to COVID restrictions, the Wagga side is now one point adrift with a far more favourable draw.
Temora were only 12 points down for most of the second half before Gundagai sealed the 30-10 win in the final 12 minutes.
Dragons coach Josh McCrone was pleased with how the team responded after going down 12-0 after 11 minutes.
However they couldn't muster the same response later in the game.
"I don't think with the character we've got that we will ever pack up," McCrone said.
"I'm fairly confident with the type of team we've got we will keep coming."
READ MORE
Discipline didn't help them late after gifting Gundagai a number of chances close to their line.
Five-eighth James Stewart also struggled with back and shoulder issues.
McCrone thought it hampered their attacking points after missing a couple of good opportunities with the ball.
"As a small club it is tough playing against a team with 17 fresh players," he said.
"We lost two of our freshies early in Nick (Trevaskis) and Jimmy Stewart which makes it tough to win.
"As a smaller team we need all hands on deck."
Temora are looking to respond when they head to Young on Sunday.
Only 10 points separated the sides when they met at Nixon Park earlier in the season.
Regardless of how they finish off the season, McCrone is confident the experience the young side has had this year will be a boost going forward.
"We were giving away plenty of size again but our shoulders are getting tougher," he said. "We are flying into them in defence so I think we are heading in the right direction."