Saints travel to The Rock to tackle the 'Pies in what should be a blockbuster atmosphere. The home side has lost three in a row at Victoria Park and are desperate to give their own fans something, as well as themselves a shot at the double chance.

North Wagga assistant coach, and newly-created ruckman, Ben Alexander said a loss to the Northern Jets two weeks ago could yet prove costly but they're still in third, one win ahead of TRYC.

"The good thing is we've got ourselves in a position where we can create our own destiny - win and we're in (the top three) and we don't have to rely on other results," Alexander said.

Saints have the bye in the final round, which brings no help on the ladder this year. If they lose, the 'Pies will be level on wins, with a game to come at Temora.

Alexander has a new role in a reshuffled Saints, after Ky Hanlon went forward to replace the injured Daniel Jordan.

After battling against Bushpigs big man Andrew Dickins last week, he could lock horns with an emerging star this week in Magpies' talent Jack Driscoll (who's been named up forward, with Jake Adams to start in the ruck).

"I've got a bit more respect for the big fellas now. It's not the easiest position on the field," Alexander said.

"All I have to do is get in and compete and apply as much pressure as I can around the contest... I'm not going to win every tap. I'm not Todd Goldstein or Nic Naitanui."

Alexander said 'playing their own brand of footy' is the key for North Wagga, but they have plenty of respect for TRYC's forward line, which includes the tall Driscoll alongside Dean Biermann and Shannon Williams, while Saints are still working out their own avenues to goal without Jordan.

They welcome back dynamic midfielder Corey Watt while the Magpies are boosted by Cody Cool and Harri White recovering from injuries. In addition, Mitch Stephenson's season isn't over after all, with a second opinion on his ankle allowing him to play and he's returning through the twos.

Co-coach Heath Russell welcomes the returns for a big occasion and is looking forward to the 'Pies testing themselves under finals-like pressure.

"We haven't shied away from it. It's a sort of finals rehearsal for us. It is important. If we put ourselves in a position to get that third spot, with a game to go... it's obviously a massive advantage to give yourself the extra week of finals," Russell said.

"The way the Jets (fifth) are playing, you probably wouldn't want to run into them in an elimination final...

Saints were convincing winners at McPherson Oval earlier in the year when, Russell said, TRYC weren't good enough for long enough and weren't able to shut down their outside run.

Russell remains in doubt to play again this season due to a quad tear.

The Magpies also hit a hurdle on Thursday night with the lights failing to come on for training at Victoria Park.

On Saturday, they hope to light it up with an electric performance.

"Our home form's probably been pretty ordinary in the second half," Russell said.

"We've lost to East Wagga, Marrar and the Jets. As we said, a return to finals this year was a goal and so a lot of old supporters around the club are pretty excited and we've got to turn that home form around.

"For our own confidence too, it would be great to beat a team above us, just to give us that belief. We know we can, but to reinforce that what we're doing is working, and to finish off at home and give ourselves that chance next week would be sensational."

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