As finals approach rapidly, the Queanbeyan Roos made a big statement on the weekend with a 44-12 thumping of the table-topping Tuggeranong Bushrangers in Queanbeyan.
The win has helped secure the Roos' spot inside the top four, and with only one round to go they are three points clear of West Belconnen in fifth place.
Coach Aaron Gorrell said that he was pleased with how his team was building towards the first round of finals.
"It was a good test for us today to see where we were against the form team of the comp," Gorrell said.
"We ticked most boxes. We won't get carried away, we know it's only another game, but it secures our semi-finals spot."
The Roos have built their 2019 success on a fast, aggressive style of play, and Gorrell said that the most pleasing aspect of the match on Saturday was their eagerness to get off the line and defend against Tuggeranong's bulk.
"Our attitude, our linespeed really stopped their go-forward," he said.
"Our forwards really dominated and we took our chances. So we've just got to build on that for the next few weeks."
It was a near-perfect performance from the Roos, which was only marred by a couple of late Tuggeranong tries which broke the visitors' duck.
"They were up for so long and played pretty well for 70 minutes, and a side like them are always going to keep coming at you," Gorrell said.
The ladder is largely settled ahead of finals, with the Roos, Bushrangers, Queanbeyan Blues, and Goulburn Bulldogs all confirmed to play in the semi-finals.
The most pivotal match coming up this weekend will take place between the Blues and the Bushrangers, who will battle it out for top spot.
However, the form that the Roos showed on Saturday was good enough to beat any of the other three sides, Gorrell felt.
"On our day, I think we can [beat any other team]," Gorrell said.
"When we play the style of footy we want and have our attitude the way it was today, I think we compete against most sides."
This weekend, the Roos will sign off their season with a clash against the Belconnen United Sharks. The match will take place from 3pm on Saturday, August 17, at Seears Workwear Oval.
