NORTH Wagga coach Nathan Dowdle says he will do everything in his power to make a return to the football field in 2015.

Dowdle is coming to terms with the fact he will need to undergo a knee reconstruction after confirmation this week he has torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

The injury happened during the third quarter of Sunday's elimination final at Gumly Oval.

The recovery period following the surgery is commonly between eight and 12 months.

The latter would rule Dowdle out of football for next season.

But the 24-year-old is remaining upbeat despite the dire situation.

He says he wants to play football in 2015.

"It's really up to the individual and how I go about my rehab after the op," Dowdle said.

"There's still a chance (I could play next year) but it's hard to gauge at the moment.

"If I'm not 100 per cent I'm not going to run out there and risk doing it again."

Dowdle will co-coach the club next season with newcomer Chad Hamblin.