While Jeffery was devastated to let in two tries in the dying minutes to go down to Temora, he said the focus had shifted to defeating the Greens.

“If we want to play finals, we need to win this one,” Jeffery said.

“I would say if we get beat this weekend it’s pretty much all done.

“Our attack is fine but we’re leaking points.

“Every time opposition teams have scored over 20 points against us this season we have lost so defence will be our focus.

“I was hoping not to let it come down to the final few games, but it is what it is.

“We have to tough it out.”

Albury Thunder is ahead of sixth-placed Temora on point difference and must beat Tumbarumba and Junee in the run home to stay in the top five.

It may also have to bring down Gundagai if the Dragons upset Junee this weekend.

Jeffery said Thunder needed to tighten up its defence in a hurry.

”Our defence was really poor against Temora,” he said.

“We let in some soft tries.

“Both teams let in really soft tries.

“A 38-34 scoreline isn’t going to reflect a semi-final football team.

“That’s way too many points and we have to fix that up.”

Although Thunder smashed Tumbarumba in the first round, Jeffery insists the scoreline wasn’t a true reflection of the match.

“We went up there in the first round and they were really tough,” he said.

“The scoreline was 36-0 but the first 40 minutes was really hard.

“They can’t make the finals so they will be coming down to play easy footy.”

Thunder are hoping to regain Mitch Seaton from an ankle injury while Andrew Smith could make a surprise return from a knee problem.

Smith is expected to play reserve grade and come off the bench in the main game.

Temora and Junee will be looking to lift a notch when they clash at Temora.

Both sides have been struggling for form with coaches Daniel Fitzhenry and Matt Hands desperate to clinch the points.

The Diesels have plenty of incentive with Young making a late play for the double chance.

Young will be too good for a disappointing Kangaroos at Young.

The Cherrypickers will be refreshed after the bye and their home advantage is expected to be decisive in a dour slog.

Gundagai will take the honours against Cootamundra and Brothers should defeat Tumut.

Ladder leader Southcity has the bye.