That time is finals and it’s just around the corner.
The Tigers are in the middle of a season-best run, the latest being a 41-point win over Rennie in the last home and away game on Saturday.
Hazelman said a latent start was fixed after the first quarter, with the Tigers making the most of an efficient eight-goal second-term effort.
“We probably started a little bit slow and they were fairly competitive, they were pretty tough around the contest and made it hard for us to score,” Hazelman said.
“But I thought our second quarter especially, we were able to get on top and that was probably the difference in the end.
“We probably held them at bay after half-time, we were able to get through reasonably unscathed and are ready for next Sunday for our first final.
“There were some good signs, we’ve been building over the last months and four wins on the trot is the best we’ve had all year, so hopefully it continues.”
The key to breaking the game open was in the second quarter.
Katamatite was locked at 30-all against Rennie after the opening 25 minutes and slowly but surely the Tigers ripped back the ascendancy.
The scoreboard pressure caused Rennie to crumble, as even at 38 points down by half-time the game was far from done.
The Tigers kept hitting their forwards and the score kept rising, but it was far from easy.
“We started to get on top around the ground in general, to tell you the truth we probably got smashed in centre clearances all day and it’s something we will have to work on,” Hazelman said.
“But I thought around the ground our execution and the way we entered our forward half was a lot better than it was in that first term.
“We were able to hit the scoreboard and not waste any opportunities, so that was a big plus.”
Aram Aldridge gained the praise of Hazelman for his rucking efforts during the 19.6 (120) to 12.7 (79) victory, while the shift of Lachan Bray from half-back flank to up forward also impressed the coach.
Mitch Coleman was a standout in front of goals and ended up with three majors to his name.
Mitchell Macheda played “his best game for the season” according to Hazelman, all contributing to the a beaming late-season charge by the finals-bound Tigers.
“We’ve had a horrid run with injury from about round three until probably round seven or eight,” Hazelman said.
“We slowly but surely got our team back together and we’ve had a bit of continuity the last part of the season which has helped our results.
“I think we’ve won six out of our last eight which is pleasing, so I think we go in next weekend very confident we can get the job done for sure.”
Elsewhere Berrigan knocked off Yarroweyah by 95 points, Tungamah beat Picola United by 70 and Katandra won convincingly over Deniliquin Rovers.
Strathmerton ousted Katunga, Waaia smashed Blighty and Jerilderie overcame Mathoura.
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