The cavalry's back, and so are the Goulburn Bulldogs.
Bulldogs coach Michael Picker is hopeful their late season slump has ended in the nick of time after replacing Queanbeyan Kangaroos in the top two with a 30-4 thrashing at Goulburn on Sunday.
Hit by injuries to key players for most of the year, the return of fullback Michael Bani (dislocated shoulder) and Blake Hewitt helped last year's grand finalists snap a two-game losing streak.
In contrast, Kangaroos coach Aaron Gorrell was fuming after his side's poor performance after winning their past seven matches.
He declared they'd "undone all that good work" and a top-two finish and the double chance in the semis now looks unlikely, having dropped to third before next week's final round.
Last year's grand finalists Goulburn had lost their previous two matches and the Bulldogs are hopeful former NRL back rower Joe Picker will return from a dislocated wrist next week.
"We've had a horror run with injuries and slowly getting blokes back week by week," Michael Picker said.
"We've had to hang in there, we've got ourselves in a better position by winning today.
"I don't think it [back-to-back losses] is the worst thing in the world to happen sometimes, if you're winning every week you get complacent."
After a slow start to the year the Roos surged into the top two by beating defending premier Queanbeyan Blues 17-4 last week.
But after conceding a couple of 100-metre tries to Goulburn, Gorrell challenged his side to respond.
"I think a lot of the boys were still sitting there taking the pats on the back from last week," Gorrell said.
"All the good work we've done the last eight weeks [was] undone in 80 minutes, we were disgraceful by any account.
"It was a second-rate display, our skills were terrible. The attitude and effort wasn't there.
"Coming into the semi-finals it could be a blessing, a wake-up call for us.
"Good sides bounce back the next week, it's how we handle the disappointing display today."
The Blues (20 points, +194 for and against) look virtually assured of sealing the minor premiership.
Goulburn (18, +108), Kangaroos 18 (+5) and West Belconnen (16, +119) will join them in the semis, with the finishing positions to be determined next week.
CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP
Sunday: Goulburn 30 (Matt Worboys 2, Michael Bani, Ben Marmont, Michael Picker, Blake Hewitt tries; Hewitt 3 goals) bt Queanbeyan Kangaroos 4 (Sione Afemui try)
Saturday results: Queanbeyan Blues 56 bt Tuggeranong 12; West Belconnen 42 bt Woden Valley 22, Gungahlin 22 bt Belconnen United 14.
