TEENAGE Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes defender Matt Collins is set to be given the task of trying to nullify exciting Coolamon forward Joe Redfern in Saturday's qualifying final.

Collins surprised by the MCUE camp on Tuesday when he proved his fitness by playing a schoolboys game for Mater Dei Catholic College and has now been given the green light to return to the Goannas' side for finals.

Collins has enjoyed a breakout season for MCUE at full-back but sent fears through the Goannas' camp when he picked up a ankle injury in the round 17 win over Narrandera.

He missed the win over Turvey Park last weekend but got through the school game on Tuesday without any dramas to prove his fitness for the first final.

Not only will Collins return to the MCUE team, he is likely to get the job on former Greater Western Sydney-listed teen Joe Redfern.

Redfern has spent the year with Bendigo in the Victorian Football League (VFL) but played two games with Coolamon during the season to qualify for finals.

MCUE coach Nathon Irvin has nominated Collins as the man for Redfern.

"It depends where he plays," Irvin explained.

"If he starts up forward then Matt Collins will probably start on him.

"If he's struggling, we can throw Harry Himmelberg back but it just depends on how (Redfern's) going and the role he is playing.

"It's a big job but Matt Collins doesn't get beaten very often."

Redfern has only made the one senior appearance for Coolamon and he starred with a five-goal best-on-ground performance against Griffith.

Irvin is confident Collins can do a good job.

"He's very, very uncanny and hard to play on," Irvin said.

"He has go-go gadget arms, I would hate to play on him.

"He's the most casual person I've ever come across and the role won't even register for him, he certainly won't be overawed.

"It's a big ask but we've got to manage up the ground to make it easier for the backs."

Collins, Irvin and Mark Roberson will come into the MCUE team for the final.

Dusty Rogers is in doubt with a hamstring injury.

Irvin believes the Goannas are ready to embark on what they hope is a historic finals campaign.

"I don't think we can do much more," he said.

"I'm comfortable with where we're at, it's just going to be a matter of whose switched on on the day.

"The top four is like that, it's just going to be a matter of whoever brings their best on the day will win the game.

"I think Tigers can come from fourth and I think the team that loses between us and Coolamon can still win it."