The unity across the entire Wellington Cowboys club was one of the biggest factors in the run to the first grade and reserve grade premiership wins in 2019.
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The connection between the players, the jersey, and community was always clear to see when a Cowboys side ran on the paddock.
Mason Williams was a key part of the first grade side then and remains so now, and he can feel those bonds returning to their strongest.
The Cowboys made the rest of the competition sit up and take notice when they defeated CYMS 28-8 earlier in the month and that resulted sandwiched impressive 66-6 victories over Forbes and Narromine.
The attack and defence has come together but Williams said the need to work together and be there for your teammates was one of the many things spoken within the team about in recent weeks.
"One was staying as a unit and working on our team performance," Williams said.
"Staying positive and putting in for each other is what we've seen the last couple weeks and that's when we play our best footy."
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Wellington remain locked at the top of the ladder with CYMS heading into Sunday's meeting with the Nyngan Tigers.
Both sides are guaranteed a place in this season's finals, with Nyngan currently fourth on the ladder.
The Tigers are led by Williams' good mate Jeremy Smith and a "full-on" contest is expected at Kennard Park after the Cowboys won 38-26 at Nyngan earlier in the season.
The clash with the Tigers is part of a tricky run home for Wellington, with matches against fellow finalists Macquarie and Parkes following the final two rounds.
"They're the type of games you need to play coming into the finals," William said.
"Especially to see where we're at and if we're ready and also to see where other teams are at as well.
"The top five is pretty right. We're tied up with CYMS but the top five is pretty tight."
Williams has spent much of his Cowboys career at five-eighth but has been shifted around at times by captain-coach Justin Toomey-White in 2021.
We're not where we need to be but we're not far off.
- Mason Williams
Predominantly an outside back during his younger days at Macquarie, Williams has been back in the centres for the Cowboys on occasions while Harry Kempston and rising star Rylee Blackhall have taken control in the halves.
"There was a bit of sluggish start but I'm feeling more comfortable now," Williams said of his game.
"The last few weeks I've played a few different roles and was in the centres then back at six a bit so it's good.
"The last couple of seasons I've made a bit of a home at six but I've played plenty of centre and I don't mind it out there, especially with the young blokes like Rylee Blackhall coming through."
CYMS has the bye this weekend so a strong win for Cowboys at home on Sunday would be a big boost to their minor premiership hopes.
Finishing in top spot and earning the first week of finals off hasn't been spoken about at length within the Cowboys camp but as the side is starting to play its best football at the right time, it is becoming more and more of a real possibility.
"Obviously it's in our sights at the moment," Williams said.
"We're taking it week-by week at the moment but, as you should do with a winning culture, it's something we're hoping for and every side should. It isn't a crucial point for us at the moment.
"We are on a better level now compared to where we were on the first round. We're not where we need to be but we're not far off."
Sunday's match kicks off at 2.30pm at Wellington's Kennard Park.
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