Mustangs captain-coach Dennis Ritchie has made an unselfish decision to withdraw himself from the Group Three Rugby League grand final against the Port City Breakers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ritchie is prepared to step onto the field less than two weeks after having surgery to insert plates and screws into his busted arm but he believes his absence is the right choice for the team.
“My arm is good to go, it was fine during contact at training last (Thursday) night,” Ritchie told the Argus.
“But the guys played great last week and it would be unfair for me to tell one of them they can’t play and put myself in the team.”
It was a tough conclusion for Ritchie to reach and he will jump at the opportunity to play if someone is ruled out.
“If anyone pulls out then I will be first in,” he said.
“It will be hard to watch on from the sidelines but I know the boys going out there will give it their all.”
Torn ligaments won't stop halfback Anthony Cowan from taking his place in the decider.
Cowan tore ligaments in his ankle in the final regular season game and the doctors diagnosis suggested it would take 10 weeks to heal.
However, he returned to action seven weeks early in the preliminary final against the Taree City Bulls and played a crucial role in the side overturning an 18-12 deficit and securing a 28-18 win.
The Mustangs are expecting Steven Walker and Mitchell Dixon to also return from knee injuries while they will receive an added boost with Dalwyn Vale returning after a two-week suspension.
The addition of Walker, Dixon and Vale will help the Mustangs sustain the Breakers’ forwards which were dominant in their last meeting.
Malcolm Webster will take his place as Cowan’s halves pairing despite missing the second half of the clash against the Bulls last Saturday.
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.”
The match kicks off at 3pm at Port Regional Stadium.