AFTER slipping out of the top four in recent weeks, Moyhu is desperate to get back in a position that would give it a double chance come finals.
Given the competitiveness of the top eight, and even nine, sides this year, coach John McNamara knows the Hoppers will need every advantage they can get to ensure a chance at back-to-back flags.
"The competition is more even than it was last year," McNamara said.
"Last year you had Tarrawingee make the grand final from fifth, but they played North Wangaratta in the first week and thrashed them.
"You're not going to get that situation again.
"You finish fifth and you could be playing Greta or All Blacks it's not going to be an easy game."
Moyhu is 3-3 since losing four of its biggest stars Nathan Waite, Ryan Craig, Jaimon McGeehan and Andrew Balfour to serious injuries in the space of three weeks.
But crucially, the Hoppers have won their past two, including coming from five goals down at halftime to defeat Bonnie Doon by nine points in round 12.
"We were down and out in that match," McNamara said.
"To come back from where we were and win the match when you take everything into account that was one of our better home and away wins in quite a while.
"It's been a battle, but we've had quite a few players step up and play a role for us, and that's been important.
"Against the top sides we've been matching them for a while, but the class ultimately shows up and they've run over the top of us.
"But the past couple of weeks the signs have definitely been encouraging."
One of those encouraging signs was the form of Jeremy Wilson, who put a horror run of just 11 goals from the previous seven matches behind him last week when he managed a career best haul of 14 majors against Glenrowan.
"Jez has certainly been moved around a bit, playing a fair bit at half forward or on a wing," McNamara said.
"He showed some signs against Bonnie Doon that he was getting back into form, but accuracy was probably his biggest problem.
"He kicked about 1.5 or 1.6 in that game.
"We pushed him back to the goal square last week and it all came together I think he had 14.5 in the end.
"Sides have been manning him up pretty tight this year, so we will keep on moving him around if we need to get him into the game or if we need a spark somewhere."
The light at the end of the injury tunnel is getting closer for the Hoppers, with Craig and Waite due back as early as next week.
"Craigy is probably ready to go, but we'll give him another week," McNamara said.
"I think he'll be back for Tarrawingee, and Nathan is probably the same.
"Balf told me last night he feels like he could be back in a couple of weeks as well, so that was a nice surprise.
"Jaimon is probably the one who might battle to get back before the finals, but we'll just play that by ear."
Coming up against Greta tomorrow, McNamara said a win was crucial.
"But it's pretty important for both sides," he said.
"Obviously we've got to kick more goals than they do.
"We had nine goal scorers against Bonnie Doon, and a similar amount last week, and it's going to be important to maintain that good spread.
"(Brad) Bell is a big key for them, so we have to shut him down."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
BACK IN FORM: Jeremy Wilson is coming off a career best 14 goal haul.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 20/07/2012 14:38