It has been over a decade since Temora last played finals but they head into the final round of the season in fifth place.
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There's only two things standing in their way - minor premiers Tumut and the COVID lockdown.
The Dragons need a win over the Blues to hold off Kangaroos, who have the bye and are guaranteed the two points needed to move past their rivals.
While Tumut are certainly a big challenge, the Dragons are hopeful but not expecting to be lining up at Twickenham on Sunday.
Group Nine have all their games on Sunday, with the clash between Young and Junee shifted from Saturday, for when the seven-day lockdown is set to expire.
However after a record 633 new cases across the state announced on Wednesday, Temora secretary Hughes is far from confident of getting their last shot.
"I can't see it going ahead but we have to plan as though it is," Hughes said.
"There's a meeting with Group Nine (on Thursday) and by then hopefully we will know if it is happening by then. I can't see how it can possibly go ahead after the latest numbers."
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The last time Temora made finals it was 2008.
They loomed likely of ending that run after taking a 8-6 win over Kangaroos in the mud at Nixon Park last month before coming up against the top four teams in the final four rounds of the season.
They suffered losses to Gundagai and Young but couldn't take on Southcity due to the snap lockdown.
Hughes admitted it will be a tough way to end their season if they can't get on the field.
"It is very disappointing," Hughes said.
"Last weekend was just so disappointing as if we could have just got one win between last weekend or this week, which wasn't impossible but it was going to be hard work we sneak into fifth spot.
"That has been our goal all year - to just make finals.
"We were so close."
They also go into the clash without Luke Skidmore due to Canberra's COVID outbreak.
After sitting out last year due to coronavirus concerns, Temora are looking to spark a new future with the return home of Josh McCrone.
Injuries weren't kind to the club early, highlighted by the loss of former coach Sam Elwin in the pre-season, but Hughes felt they were headed in the right direction.
"It is extremely disappointing as we finished the year quite well," he said.
"We had no injuries in the second round, compared to the first round.
"I really think last week's game or even Sunday's game, if it was to go ahead, we really could have given it a shake with everything to play for.
"We could have possibly snuck into fifth spot which would have been a great achievement.
"Even if they do can the last two rounds I don't know where the finals sit with what can and can't be done.
"It's all in the government's hands."
Hughes is hopeful of retaining the majority of their roster from this season.