There is not much between the top teams in the fourth-grade competition, which includes several one-team clubs like Yass and Goulburn.

Yass has dropped only one game this season, and that was two weeks ago against the Goulburn Swans.

They will be looking to play at their best when they face Woden at Greenway Oval in the capital.

Woden, sitting in second spot on the ladder, has dropped three games: to Goulburn Swans last week, ADFA Rams in June, and Yass in May.

The Roos, like the Swans, have had to make a few changes to their backline because of injuries, but there is a fair bit of depth in the club. Younger players have been relishing the opportunities they have been given.

Last weekend at home the Roos hopped all over the Batemans Bay Sea Hawks, who had only 16 players available for the long road trip.

Roos coach Sam Campbell said Yass elected to even-up the game by reducing their number of players on the field.

But, with plenty of bench choice, the Roos overran the Sea Eagles 23–9–147 to 4–3–27.

It was disappointing for the Bay that they couldn’t muster a few more players as they are usually quite competitive.

“We need to be on our ‘A’ game this week to beat Woden on their home field,” Campbell said.

“There are a few things we need to work on, like consistency.

“We need to be on our game for all four quarters and not go to sleep and lose sight of our game plan.

“We have a fairly young team this year, but the numbers showing up to training have been the best for as many seasons as the players can remember, certainly the best in my time.”

Woden, as Goulburn found out last week, has quite a vocal supporter group even when travelling away, so the Roos will be hoping that plenty of their supporters make the trip down to Canberra for the 3.15pm start game.

The Goulburn Swans had a bruising encounter last week against Woden on Goodhew Park coming away with a close, low-scoring 8–10–58 to 7–8–50 win.

Their opponents this week, Googong – who are sixth on the ladder – had a good win over ANU (placed fifth) 12–6–78 to 6–6–42, narrowing the gap between these two sides who are still in finals contention.

Southern Cats, who are currently placed third, play the Roos in round 17 on August 25 in Yass.

Then, in the final round on September 1, the Roos face ANU at ANU.

According to coach Campbell, ANU has always known how to play finals AFL and will be looking for a win and probably a spot in the finals four.

With six games left before the finals, all teams need to be on their game as those outside the final four could still have a run of wins and upset the top four teams on the ladder.