If the Mudgee Dragons’ league tag side wins its last two games, it’s into the finals. 

The Westfund Group 10 competition takes the top five teams into the post-season and Mal Goodman’s Red V is currently in a three-way tie with Orange CYMS and Blayney as all the sides sit on 15 competition points.

LADDER: Orange CYMS 4^th with 15 competition points and +64 for and against, Blayney Bears 5^th with 15 competition points and -22 for an against, Mudgee 6^th with 15 competition points and -97 for and against.

With a clash between Blayney and CYMS coming up, Mudgee can fly past the loser of that meeting with a win over Cowra on Sunday and finish with a win over Hawks in the last round.

It’s an outcome that didn’t look likely earlier in the season but Goodman attributes the awesome turnaround to increased chemistry and teamwork.

“At the start of the year we had a lot of new players that hadn’t played together before and now they’re really starting to gel on the field,” Goodman said.

“That was our initial problem. Now they know how the other player works whereas before, no one would have any idea. Now they know how they work.

“There’s more instinct between the players.”

Some of the early-season problems stemmed from an inability to put points on the board, an aspect that’s drastically improved lately.

“Our attacking issues was the hardest thing we’ve had to overcome,” she said.

“That’s been a major thing in the last four games. The girls were amazing against Lithgow and Oberon. They just backed each other and they showed a lot of enthusiasm. 

“Once they’re in that right head frame, they push themselves and back each other a bit more.”

If the Dragons want to get a win on Sunday, they’ll need to reverse a round eight result that saw them lose to the Magpies 20-4 at home.

What’s the key to beating Cowra? Not getting caught up in their physical playing style.

“They can be pretty tough and physical,” Goodman said.

“The girls need to not worry so much about the physical part and not get intimated by how rough they play and then just go out and be the smarter ones and play smart and let Cowra niggle between themselves.

“The focus is still on our attack and the girls backing each other. I really think we’ll be able to get another win this weekend.”

The Dragons travel to Cowra’s Sid Kallas Oval on Sunday before hosting Orange Hawks in the final round at Glen Willow Oval.