Mustangs captain-coach Dennis Ritchie broke his arm in the grand final qualifier with the Breakers and had surgery on Tuesday August 15, but he plans to play in Sunday’s Group Three Rugby League grand final.
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The centre had plates and screws inserted into his arm but he will pad it up at training on Thursday night and put it through a contact test.
“I will do full contact, take some hit ups and make tackles and see how it pulls up,” Ritchie said.
“If it is alright, then I will want to pull the boots on.”
Ritchie is hopeful he won’t be the only player to make a return to the side from injury, to give the Mustangs every chance of defeating the Port City Breakers who are undefeated this season.
Steven Walker and Mitchell Dixon will be giving their knees the final test on Thursday.
The two forwards were missed in their last meeting with the Breakers as they were dominated through the middle of the field.
Dalwyn Vale will also be back on deck to boost the forward pack after serving a two game suspension.
In another boost for the side, halves pairing of Anthony Cowan and Malcolm Webster will be taking their place in the side.
Cowan made a shock return in the Mustangs’ preliminary final win over the Taree City Bulls on Saturday while Webster left the field with an injury before half-time.
Ritchie expressed his side has nothing to lose but everything to play for ahead of Sunday’s grand final.
“They are the minor premiers and the defending champions from last year, everyone is expecting them to win so the pressure is on them to get the job done,” Ritchie said.
“We all have the mindset that we can win on Sunday and there was a good feeling at training on Tuesday night.
Sunday’s first grade grand final kicks off at 3pm with the Mustangs U18.5s facing the Wauchope Blues at 11.45am.
Both matches are played at Port Regional Stadium.
