However, it won't take anything away from Saturday's meeting with arch rivals Federal.

With the Upper Murray no certainty to continue in its current form next season, it could be the last clash between the two rivals that call Corryong Recreation Reserve home.

Jeffries admitted last week's loss to Tumbarumba effectively ended the Demons' finals hopes, but it won't change the way they approach Federal.

"Obviously there's still a fairly big rivalry there," Jeffries said.

"Being 1-1 this year, Feds are going to be coming out pretty fiery seeing as we beat them last time.

"I'd say they'll field their strongest side possible because they won't want to lose to us twice in a year.

"Like we do every other week, we still approach it as if we want to win.

"It doesn't matter if you've got to win to keep the year alive, you've got to have the attitude to win every week."

Federal's draw against Bullioh back in round three means the Swans are 10 points clear of Corryong in fourth spot for a berth in the elimination final.

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Jeffries took over the senior coaching reins from long-time Demons mentor Evan Nicholas earlier this month.

While his role hasn't changed a great deal since stepping up from assistant, he's enjoyed the challenge of senior coaching.

"I'm just trying to do my role and keep the boys positive, that's all you can really do," Jeffries said.

"It's been such an up and down year where we've had 38 players and we can't even get 20 most weeks.

"It's hard to keep them motivated and positive, so just to keep them positive is a big thing."

Jeffries hopes to see the side finish strongly in its last four games.

"If we had have won last week we would have been a bit more positive, but to win two of the last four and improve on the two previous encounters against Bullioh and Cudgewa would be great," he said.

"As long as you get improvement - I think it was 260 points against Cudgewa last time.

"I think the boys have improved a bit, but if you're blowing it out that far people don't like the look of it.

"For me, I don't know how the league is going to go next year in that aspect, but we want to be competitive.

"If the league does go ahead, it opens up the door for potential recruits to say 'at least they're improving'.

"Whereas if you're getting flogged, people start to turn their head a bit when you ask them to play."

In the weekend's other games, ladder leaders Cudgewa host Tumbarumba, while Bullioh should bounce back away to Border Walwa.

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