The Narwan Eels left it late but managed to clinch a minor semi-final triumph over the Moree Boars to live on another week in the Group 19 finals series.
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In a match that saw the lead chop and change at Newling Oval on Saturday, the Eels managed to clinch a 33-32 win in the last two minutes with an Al Widders field goal.
Player-coach John Roberts said sloppy defence nearly cost them the win.
"We just didn't defend well and they just capitalised, I think they scored about four tries on our right edge.
"We have been saying all season, it takes 80 minutes to finish a game and it has taken us to the minor finals to actually play 80 minutes of football and want to win.
"It does give us a bit of a confidence boost knowing that we can finish a game strongly."
It's that confidence that the Narwan Eels will need with the win in the do-or-die encounter booking them a preliminary finals berth with reigning premiers the Moree Boomerangs.
We have got to slow them down and starve them of the ball for us to win the game.
- John Roberts
Roberts said they need to be consistent across the park and not have any lapses in defence in the big match up on Moree's home turf this Sunday.
"We have had a big talk this week and we want to start strong and continue that throughout the game," he said.
"The Boomerangs have a speedy side, a lot of young talent coming through and the way they beat us the last two times was through the middle. Their big forwards get a roll on and the little fellas just jump on the back of it and carve us up."
Roberts has been happy with his side's discipline in recent outings but hopes to limit the Boomerangs' time with the ball as much as possible.
"We have got to slow them down and starve them of the ball for us to win the game," he said.
"It happened for us against the Boars last week, we gave them too much ball and a side like the Boomerangs, they are going to shut us up."
As for who they have turning out for them, Roberts said they are sweating on a few injuries.
"Luke French, I don't know if he tore his hamstring or some strain on it, he is our biggest concern," he said.
"He is just a weapon in the middle for us, he comes in and he is just too strong, too fast."
The winner will face Glen Innes on August 25 in the grand final.