With five minutes to go, the Lions took the lead and established a nine-point break.

But not for the first time in the second half of this season, the Rams snatched a tight win, 12.10 (82) to 10.19 (79).

“The boys found a way to win, which is what they’ve been doing in the past few weeks,” Rams coach Troy Bartlett said.

“Now we’ve won seven on the trot and have been starting to find a way to win those tough games which we weren’t doing at the start of the year.

“It’s just down to a bit of confidence more than anything — even when we lost those close ones early in the year, we weren’t doing a lot wrong.

“But we had a chat and addressed a couple of things and now, when the game’s in the balance, blokes are standing up.”

It was a tight contest all day and although the Rams led at every break, it was never by more than seven points.

“No side got a jump at any stage,” Bartlett said.

“It was always a bit of a contest.

“They have pretty good forwards we had to stop in Will Farrer and Chase Strawhorn, so it was just a matter of getting back in holes and helping out the back line.

“We kicked the last two goals and just snuck it.”

Bartlett said it was a strong overall effort from his side, with the back six working particularly hard.

An ability to win the tight games might be the best preparation for the Rams with a tough run home after next week’s bye.

Starting with Finley, there’s not an easy game.

“A win puts you in a good spot to have a crack at the rest of the year, but lose and we’re right back in among it,” Bartlett said.

“We’ll just take a little mental spell this week, refresh and gear up for the last six rounds.”

The Rams could have a big return from injury in captain Anthony Bull, who hasn’t played a senior game this year, playing the last two weeks in reserves.

Oliver Draffin was named best for the Rams, while Josh Hammond was best for the Lions.