The Hawks have been unmercifully crushed by 92 and 122 points in two of their last three matches and coach Matt Allen said yesterday it was time to draw a line in the sand if his team wanted to be regarded as a genuine finals contender.

“Look, Albury’s a great side and we know the size of the challenge ahead of us, but we’re going up there reasonably confident we can put up a good performance,” Allen said.

“Albury has probably come back to the field a little bit over the past few weeks, maybe sides are learning to play them a little better I don’t know, and all we can do is give it everything and see how we go.

“Our form has been pretty good and we need to play well in these sort of games if we are going to make the finals.”

Wangaratta Rovers released the pressure valve by ending a seven-match losing streak against rivals Wangaratta in their last outing, but the win came at a massive price with Jack Hill and Justin Hoggan going down with serious ankle injuries.

Hill won’t play until round 17 at best, while Hoggan, who has been one of the key reasons behind the Hawks’ impressive return to form, has his foot in a moon boot after suffering a small fracture and is in danger of missing the rest of the season.

But Allen believes the key to halting Albury is in the midfield.

“I think the secret is stopping the run through the centre,” he said.

“It’s not about stopping Matty Fowler and other forwards, it’s about controlling the run as they have so many good players through there.

“We think we have a pretty good mix as well and it’s important we come with the right attitude.”

Albury’s other strength this season has been its starts with it leading the other teams in the top five at quarter-time by 47 points (North Albury), 35 points (Yarrawonga) and 26 points (Wodonga Raiders) in their most recent battles.

The Hawks can’t afford to suffer the same fate as running players Chris Hyde, Daniel Maher, Shaun Daly, Joel Mackie, Joel O’Connell, Charlie Gaylard, Luke Daly and Luke Carroll have proven impossible to mow down.

Wangaratta Rovers have improved and by just how much will become clearer by 5pm today.