The Kangaroos have scratched out a desperate 18 point AFL win over Geelong in a scrappy game at Canberra.
But the 16.8 (104) to 12.14 (86) victory, which keeps the Kangaroos in the top eight, has come at a price with key player Glenn Archer injuring his right ankle.
Archer limped off the ground midway through the second quarter and watched the rest of the game on crutches.
The game was tight for most of the match with both teams failing to hit targets in their forward line.
It was not until midway into the last quarter that the Kangaroos - through the work of captain Anthony Stevens and 100 gamer Jess Sinclair - were able to draw away.
They were helped by some poor kicking by Geelong in the last quarter.
In a game that failed to reach great heights, two of the league's bright hopes provided the excitement.
Geelong's Gary Ablett junior left his Kangaroos defender flat footed before dribbling the ball 20 metres through the goal on an acute angle in a rare bright spot in the third quarter.
And Kangaroo youngster Daniel Wells, who took a heavy blow to the shoulder in the third term, fought his way through a pack and kicked a vital goal in the final quarter.
The Kangaroos have kept their finals hopes alive, but they head to the Gabba next week for a tough game against defending premiers Brisbane.