Farrer League
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SKILFUL Temora onballer Josh Hagar is racing against the clock to recover from a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and help the Kangaroos to a third straight Farrer League flag.
Hagar, 27, sustained the injury during the Roos' trip to Ariah Park a fortnight ago.
His initial fears were an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, which could have ruled him out for 12 months.
The PCL recovery period is generally between 10 and 12 weeks, but Hagar wants to make a return in just four.
He will sit out Saturday's semi final clash with East Wagga-Kooringal and, most likely, won't be fit enough to play next week.
But he has penciled in September 13 - grand final day - as a return date if Temora can make it to the big dance.
"If the boys can get up tomorrow that gives me two weeks to get it right, get back on the track and get some confidence back in the leg," Hagar said.
"Hopefully I can start jogging on it next week and go from there.
"All the signs are pretty good...there's good movement in it and the swelling has gone down.
"It's a matter of whether I can strengthen it up and start running on it again."
"It's a matter of whether I can strengthen it up and start running on it again."
- Josh Hagar
Hagar has been on the training bike this week in an effort to speed up the recovery.
It's a massive blow to a player who has only missed one game to date this season.
"I nearly made it through the whole year without an injury," Hagar laughed.
"The good thing is we have plenty of kids who can come into the team so that's no drama."
Hagar is a big omission from Temora's line-up as it goes up against East Wagga-Kooringal at Maher Oval on Saturday.
The Hawks have beaten the Kangaroos twice already this year, and the winner of the clash will earn an early berth in the grand final and have next week off.
Hagar says the club is fully aware how dangerous EWK can be.
"They are definitely in good form at the moment and I reckon East Wagga is the team to beat," he said.
"I think it might come down to the first few minutes of the game.
"It was a cracking start between East Wagga and Coly last week, and if we can weather the storm early on we should give ourselves every chance of going on to win it."
Temora has brought in Angus McRae and Simon Turner to account for the loss of Hagar and fill the fourth spot on the bench.