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The fight for a top-five finish to the 2008 season is heating up. On Saturday two contenders for spots four and five - North Adelaide and the Eagles - learned desperation would be a key ingredient to securing a finals appearance.
Yet luck will also be an important element, a reality that was not lost on Roosters coach Andrew Jarman.
He said the competition was so tight any unsettled team would struggle to keep up.
"It's a fine line, this comp. If you've got two or three good players out, it'll hurt you," he said. "It's a man's competition. It's bigger bodies, they (the players) are a bit more mature and it's a great contest. It's not overgoverned and there are still collisions."
Coming into Saturday's game, Jarman had to replace four senior players because of injury.
It was a tough ask considering the side had not won for three weeks. He said he was "proud" of Saturday's line-up that beat the Eagles by 18 points.
"Doesn't matter how many guys you lose during the week or before the game, at the end of the day you've still got 21 guys putting on a North jumper. Have a go," Jarman said.
"Winning creates a lot of confidence but there's still a long way to go."
The mood in the Eagles' rooms after the game was solemn and the guys know each and every performance is now under scrutiny.
"I think now is an ideal opportunity to see if some of our younger boys that are starting to show good form in reserves can play senior football," coach Ron Fuller said.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Candice Keller