The Lions are in a battle with fifth-placed Allansford and seventh-placed Panmure for fifth spot.

Each team has six wins.

The Lions didn't hurt their chances on Saturday with a 13.8 (86) to 4.10 (34) victory over Dennington.

Matheson said his team needed to put together four-quarter efforts and take its opportunities up forward to make finals.

"Probably our best footy is when we try and get on the outside and run quickly," he said.

Matheson believes his side can make finals if it can bring the same intensity it did in its win over Old Collegians in round 11.

The return of some big-name players will help the Lions' chances.

Matheson said Trent Harman and prolific goal-kicker Nathan Krepp were eyeing off returns in the next month.

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South Rovers raced out of the gates against the Dogs and took a 36-point lead to the first break.

Matheson said forward Mark Murphy was outstanding, slotting the first four majors of the match.

"When we get it in quick and deep, he certainly is a hard match up," he said.

Murphy finished with five goals and featured in the best players.

Meanwhile, Nathan Murphy was a late withdrawal with illness on Saturday morning.

Matheson said Dennington lifted its intensity after quarter-time.

The Lions could only add seven more goals to their tally while the Dogs booted four.

Dennington coach Mick Phillips said his team rallied after the first break.

"Unfortunately we started slowly," he said.

"But once we rectified that, early in the game, we were pretty competitive."

Phillips is aware struggling teams can falter in the second half of the season but that's not the case for his Dogs.

"It seems to be the reverse," he said.

"They're improving and are still very coachable."

He said teenager Lewis Campbell-Gavin had "improved out of sight" since round one.

The Dogs mentor said it was the young half-forward's first year in the senior ranks.

Phillips said backman Jack McCutcheon injured his arm in the first quarter and sustained ligament damage.

The playing coach said he was also keen to return from his knee injury before the end of the season.

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