One of three teams on two wins and eight points, this week’s clash against bottom of the table Corowa-Rutherglen could be the opportunity an improving Rovers outfit needs to avoid one unwanted tag.

But coach Paul Maher said there was much more at stake.

“Every week is an important game,” he said.

“Not only for the win-loss but also for our development.

“Being a young side we want to improve with every game and if we’re doing that we’re going to be happy with the boys.”

The young Rovers have shown plenty of fight throughout the year.

Last week they went down to Wodonga by just 12 points, having led at the first change and trailed by just three points at the start of the final term.

“We probably need to learn how to win again,” Maher said.

“When we get our noses in front we need to maintain that lead and draw away.

“I hope against Corowa-Rutherglen we can get that first win and make it a few more towards the end of the season as well.

“But the boys have already taken a lot out of this year.

“Every player and every team wants to win, and every team strives for finals.

“But if that’s not going to be the case then you have to look at what the next major goal is and for Rovers that’s been the development and improvement of our players.

“We’ve been able to reinforce that week in and week out which is why we’ve maintain that positive feel around the club.”

But injuries have hit the Rovers hard.

Co-captain Tyson Hartwig has undergone surgery on his thumb with a chipped bone and torn tendon and muscle, and will miss the rest of the season.

About six other players have had season-ending knee surgeries.

But Maher said that had only given other youngsters the chance of senior footy.

“We’ve had about half a dozen debut — players like Stuart Booth, Brydon Robins, Tyler Lowe — they’ve all done a great job on debut,” he said.

“And hopefully that’s the start of a long career with the club.”

Victory over the Kangaroos would do a lot more than lift the Rovers from the wooden spoon.

“Like every player I go out every week with a feeling that we have the capacity to beat our opposition,” Maher said.