But it’s the Lions’ long-term future which has assistant coach Peter Timms excited.

Timms, who stepped up to coach the team against Russells Creek on Saturday as part of a development plan with mentor Adam Matheson, said they were building a strong nucleus of talent at Walter Oval.

“The young kids we have got and are playing are really developing and are going to be good players for the club for a long time,” he said.

“The future is looking really bright and the older guys are really helping them out.

“We have 10 kids playing who have played less than 30 senior games of footy and I think we have the lowest (total player) points in the league, so it’s home-grown kids as well.

“If we can inject a couple of recruits then we can really push for a top-five spot.”

South Rovers ensured their short-term goal – of making the 2017 finals – remained alive with a 13.14 (92) to 4.6 (30) win over Russells Creek on Saturday.

Timms said experienced duo Braden Hotker and Julian Claridge were infuential in the result, which put the Lions within one game of the top-five.

“We’re still hopeful of sneaking in,” he said. “Finals would be a bonus but we just want to win every game.”

The Lions were locked in a battle with the Roos early – scores were tied at 2.1 at quarter-time – but ground their way on top and opened the game up in the second half.