Third on the ladder, the Dogs have struggled against the top teams this year, leaving a resurgent Kiama and Wollongong Lions to battle it out for top spot.

Without a key forward in the mould of Kent Delbridge or Evan Smith, Murray has adopted the “mosquito fleet” blueprint used by Luke Beveridge on their way to last year’s AFL title.

Last year’s grand final combatants – the Lions won by a point at Nowra – meet again at North Dalton Park on Saturday.

“We’ve had to a bit, because we’re a much smaller group than we were last year,” he said.

“But it’s something we’re hoping will work to our advantage with some big games coming up. We haven’t had a lot of success against the top teams this year, so it would be a big boost for us to beat the Lions.”

Keegan Jenkins has been the Dogs leading goalkicker this year with 38, while Leo Stevens led the way in a best-on-ground performance with three in last Saturday’s win over Northern Districts.

In contrast, the Lions spearhead Alex Cotter has nailed 81 goals for the year, 24 ahead of Kiama’s Troy Cole.

While the Lions snatched back top spot on percentage, they meet Kiama in the final round.

Elsewhere, Bomaderry have the chance to jump Figtree into fifth spot when they tackle the Kangaroos at Artie Smith Oval. 

Round 17

Saturday

BOMADERRY v FIGTREE

Artie Smith Oval (2.10pm)

NORTHERN DISTRICTS v SHELLHARBOUR

Hollymount Park (2.10pm)

KIAMA v NOWRA-ALBATROSS

Bonaira Oval (2.30pm)

WOLLONGONG LIONS v WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS

North Dalton Park (3pm)

Ladder: LIONS 15-1 (282.12), KIAMA 15-1 (280.65), BULLDOGS 11-5 (182.21), SHELLHARBOUR 9-6-1 (134.50), FIGTREE 6-9-1 (92.46), Bomaderry 6-10 (63.73), Northern Districts 1-15 (31.50), Nowra-Albatross 0-16 (28.97).