By Finn Morton; Photo – Brendan Hertel/QRU Media

After not winning a game since round 10, Easts will be a desperate to return to winning ways as they face Souths this Saturday.

Both Souths and Easts enter Round 14 coming off close results last weekend, which saw Easts lose 17-18 to Bond, while Souths earnt a 1-point win over Jeeps.

With seven teams still in contention for finals Rugby, every game is vital as August nears.

While a win would separate third-placed Souths from the rest, a loss for seventh placed Easts would all but bring an end to their season.

Easts Head Coach Mosese Rauluni understands that with his side currently sitting in seventh, to play in August, they have to start learning from their mistakes.

“We as a team and club have been very disappointed with those narrow losses against GPS and Bond especially. A few poor decisions from us put us under pressure and let both those teams back in the game to help them win. [But] We are still in with a chance to reach the semi’s but if we lose any more games we don’t deserve to be in the Finals,” Rauluni acknowledged.

“Decision making from our leaders will be key for us over the last [few] games but we are only taking it one game at a time and Souths will be our first mission.”

And what a first test it will be for Easts.

Souths are coming off an upset victory away to defending-champions Jeeps, a victory which saw them reclaim the Torkington Daley Cup for the first time in eight years. But Souths also secured a vital win that keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Souths are recognised throughout the league as being a “strong” side, a team who thrive off front-foot ball. According to Rauluni, for Easts to be in with a chance this Saturday, they have to contain their dynamic style of play.

“Souths are coming home strong and proved that against Jeeps. Their confidence will be up.

“[They’re} A great attacking team so if we can deny them the ball as much as we can we will be in with a chance.

“[This game is] crucial as we are not far behind [them] in points and it could put us in the top four or further away depending on results.”

In pre-season, Rauluni considered the Tigers as a potential top four outfit.

While Easts are “not quite” at the level that was expected of them before the season began, they have to chance to fix that on Saturday.

The match will kick-off at 3:20 pm at Souths on Saturday.