Four weeks ago Kangaroo Flat had ambitions of pushing into the BFNL top three.
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With five rounds remaining in the home and away season the Roos are now no certainties to play finals.
Losses to Eaglehawk and Kyneton in the past month have seen the Roos slip to fifth – just one game clear of a resurgent Eaglehawk.
Kangaroo Flat coach Jason Stevens insists there’s no panic internally.
“We’re disappointed we’ve put ourselves in this situation and we’ve only got ourselves to blame because we’ve dropped two games to our opposition in the past month,’’ Stevens said.
“Realistically, if we want to be a finals side we need to beat Maryborough this weekend and then beat one of the top three sides in the three weeks after that.
“Kyneton and Eaglehawk have been able to beat one of the top three sides. If we do that as well then our finals destiny will be assured.”
The Roos must win at least two of their final five games to make the finals for the first time since 2009.
One of those two wins should come against bottom side Maryborough this weekend. Their final four games are tough – Golden Square, Sandhurst, Strathfieldsaye and Castlemaine.
The Roos’ good form through the first half of the season was built around an offensive game plan.
They’ve been slowed down in recent weeks and have averaged just 10 goals per game in their past five matches.
“As long as you learn from mistakes you’ve made you’ll be better placed,’’ Stevens said.
“We have a really good midfield, but lately we’ve been getting beaten in that area.”
“We’ve got some things to fix and we need to fix them quickly.”
Tom Pridgeon, Tim Brooks and Jarryd Wiegard will return to the Roos’ side for the round 15 game against Golden Square.
This weekend’s round will have a major bearing on the top five.
The winner of the Sandhurst and Golden Square will be favourite to claim the minor premiership, while the Eaglehawk versus Kyneton game at Canterbury Park is a mini-final. In other games, Strathfieldsaye is at home to South Bendigo and Castlemaine travels to Gisborne.