After trailing 20-nil at half time against third-placed Macquarie, the Goannas turned in a scintillating 40-point second half to win it 40-26. It was an incredible effort - seven tries in 40 minutes against a side with genuine title aspirations.

"I challenged the guys pretty forcefully at half time, and they responded," Edwards said.

"It was incredible ... we scored one try, then another, and another, then suddenly we were in front, and it just kept going.

"We had made it very hard on ourselves in the first half, but there wasn't 20 points difference between the sides.

"We were running into a wind, had two tries disallowed, and a few things had gone against us."

The win lifts the Goannas to equal first on the ladder with Maitland and Central - although Maitland still have a game in hand.

"Our for and against isn't great so we're third overall, but that's okay, we're still working hard."

Not surprisingly, it was a match where there was no shortage of star performers.

Veteran five-eighth Scott Briggs returned to the club and was superb in his first game back, while hooker Billy Gilbert and back rowers Reed Hugo, Connor Kirkwood and Wyatt Shaw were all strong.

Liam Foran was creative out of dummy half when he came on, while former Maitland outside back Elliott Jennings was powerful on the right wing.

"We've lost Josh Griffiths who has left the club, so Elliott is a really handy gain for us," Edwards said.

Next up the Goannas are away to South Newcastle.

Kurri's poor run continued when they were upset 30-16 by struggling Lakes - it was the Bulldogs' fourth loss from their past five matches and it won't get any easier when they take on leaders Maitland next weekend.