The recent run is particularly impressive when you consider the side didn’t win a game until round eight, and now sits just one win adrift of the top four.

Team manager Brendan George labelled the trio as the ‘big three’, and says their contribution has had a lot to do with their winning ways.

“Those three forwards just work well together and add to our big middle,” said George.

“They’ve been going well the last few weeks and that’s got something to do with the wins we’ve been getting.”

Not only has Hawkins helped his side turn its season around, he’s booked himself a bench spot in Ben Gregory’s premier league side – a remarkable feat for a youngster.

“He’s a very good player and he’s physical,” George said.

“It gives him more confidence too – playing first grade every week then coming back for the 18s.

“If he can handle that he’ll play well for the 18s every week.”

While it’s fun to attribute winning results to a handful of key players, the resurgence has been a genuine team effort as every individual has lifted their game.

Jumping from last to fifth isn’t easy at the best of times but it’s even more impressive when you look at the youth of the side as only two guys are true under 18s players, while the rest of them belong in the 17s or 16s.

Cody Lawson is one of the side’s youngest players but has taken on perhaps the most difficult role as the halfback has come in leaps and bounds in the last two months.

“He’s been playing some good footy lately. Him and Phil Riley are both from the 16s and they’ve been improving every week and they’re building confidence as the rounds have progressed and they’re starting to play some good footy,” George said.

The side is fresh off a 28-0 thumping of the Oberon Tigers which truly illustrates the side’s improvement as the round five meeting between the two squads ended in a 22-all draw.

“Everyone is just playing well. That’s the reason why we’ve been winning – everyone has improved as the weeks have gone on. 1-17 are all doing a job for us.”

About two months ago, the goal for this side would have been to just win a game, but now with three matches left, the objective is simple – make the finals.

The boys travel to Bathurst St Pat’s on Sunday and will look to erase a 34-0 loss it suffered against the blue and whites in round six and if the Oberon game is anything to go off, Jono George’s troops just might get the chocolates again.