With just one game remaining, the Timbercutters sit eighth on the Picola and District Football League ladder after a 14-point victory over Jerilderie on Saturday.
The Timbercutters replaced Yarroweyah in the top eight following the latter's loss to Waaia. Mathoura and the Grasshoppers are separated by 11 per cent.
In the final round, Mathoura will travel to second last Katunga while Yarroweyah host sixth placed Deniliquin Rovers - leaving the Timbercutters in the box seat to end their finals drought.
"The boys know they need to produce one more big effort," Mathoura coach Darcy Robinson said.
"We had spoken about the last three games being elimination finals and we've passed the first two tests.
"The pressure is only continuing to grow, but I think we've risen to the challenge.
"Our last two games have shown how far this group has come."
After a strong opening term where they kicked six goals to two, Mathoura began to feel the pressure as the Demons worked their way back into the contest.
And when the tension became almost unbearable Brayden Worsnop, 21, provided the lift his team needed.
"He plays like a 28-year-old with over 200 games of senior experience," Robinson said.
"Brayden has played senior football from a young age and you can see it in the way he handles himself.
"Unfortunately he has only played four games this year but he makes a big difference when he is on the field."