After starting the season with five wins, Price has been left shaking his head with injuries, unavailability, poor form and narrow losses seeing them plummet to ninth spot on the ladder.

“It’s the toughest time I’ve had in coaching,” Price, who will step down from the helm after four seasons, said.

“We have had no luck to be honest.

“Our depth wasn’t what I’d hoped at the start of the season and, just when we seem to be getting two or three players back, we have been losing a couple more at the same time.

“The game that stands out was the Culcairn match as we should have won that one with the boys being fantastic.

“Out of the eight games we have lost, I think we’ve been in front in six of them at quarter-time.”

While Howlong is still only four premiership points and percentage outside the top six, Price isn’t about to be drawn into talking finals.

He is focused firmly on ending their losing streak against Billabong Crows at Howlong on Saturday.

“I still think we will finish the season strongly,” Price said.

“We can make the finals as we have winnable games ahead, but from the team’s perspective we aren’t worried about finals as we just want a win.

“It’s about getting some confidence back.”

Although three of Howlong’s four Northern Territory players have returned home, William Farrer has stayed and made an impact.

Tyson Logie has been the Spiders most consistent player while Charlie Hamilton and Bill McCormack have also stepped up.

While Howlong has had its share of bad luck, the Crows are in the same boat with coach Al Austin continually being frustrated at the selection table.

They have lost to Murray Magpies and CDHBU by 14 and nine points in recent weeks and were within three points of Jindera at half-time last weekend.

“We have been pretty competitive,” Austin said.

“All the boys are playing well lately.

“We had a lot of numbers out six or seven weeks ago but we’re starting to get close to full strength again.

“Hopefully a win isn’t far away to keep the boys up and about.”

Youngsters Sam Herzich, Alex McKenzie and Zach and Riley Kerr have been leading the way with Austin’s return from injury also being timely.

Culcairn will start favourites against Holbrook.

The Brookers let a golden opportunity slip last weekend and will battle to contain Nick Wright and Adam Eady.

Brock-Burrum meet CDHBU, Jindera play Lockhart, Osborne take on Murray Magpies and Walla host Henty.