Starting with the improving Tallangatta this weekend, the Tigers then face current top five teams Kiewa-Sandy Creek, Mitta, Rutherglen and Wahgunyah in the following four games.

After finishing fifth last year and falling less than two goals short of making the grand final, the Tigers have got themselves back on track in the last month.

Barnawartha has won their past three matches by an average margin of 101 points against Chiltern, Beechworth and Wodonga Saints and find themselves just six points behind Wahgunyah for a spot in the top five.

Tigers’ coach Mitch Exton said the return of a number of key players from injury has been a big factor in the turnaround.

“It’s obviously been better the past month, we’ve had some players come back from injury and the team is starting to take a bit of shape,” Exton said.

“Tim Price, Paul Harrington, Cam McNeill, Stephen Bradshaw have been good.

“We’ve had a few local guys come back to the club and we’ve picked up a few other recruits, so it’s been a mixture of guys that have stepped up for us.

“Something clicked for us in that Chiltern game and we’ve got a bit of a run on since then.

“We’ve obviously lost a few (players), but we expected to be playing better footy than we did at the start of the year.

“It’s just the way things go sometimes, unfortunately.”

Barnwartha has also lodged a clearance for Billabong Crows’ Tom Hofert.

“He’s with our president’s daughter and I think he was struggling with the travel,” Exton said.

“He’ll be handy and add a bit of height to the team.

“There were a few games early where we really struggled and lacked height.”

Barnawartha hopes to bring back James Wells, who has missed a month with a soft tissue injury, while Ben Kunkel returned against the Saints last start and should be right for the Hoppers. 

“We know it’s going to be a tough run home, but there’s confidence among the group that we can do it,” Exton said.

“If we can’t beat them at this time of the year, there’s no point being in the finals.”

Wahgunyah must beat local rivals Rutherglen to stay in touch with the top four.

Dederang-Mount Beauty will set itself for its second win of the season when it hosts the struggling Chiltern.

Mitta can give itself some breathing space in fourth spot with a win at home against Yackandandah.

Thurgoona will start heavy favourites against Beechworth, as will Kiewa-Sandy Creek, who take on Wodonga Saints at Kiewa.