GERALD Clear Medallist Corey Watt has played his last game for North Wagga this season.
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Watt got bad news from the physio on Wednesday with scans confirming a grade two tear in his medial.
The injury means Watt will be unable to play in Saturday’s preliminary final against East Wagga-Kooringal at Maher Oval, or the grand final the week after.
It also robs the Saints of one of their most potent weapons ahead of their biggest game of the year.
“It’s bad news,” Watt said.
“It’s a grade two tear in the MCL so I’m out for the rest of the year.
“I don’t have to have surgery, which is something.”
Watt was crowned Farrer League’s best and fairest player on Monday night when he won the Gerald Clear Medal vote count by six.
It was part of a week of ups and downs for the 21-year-old speedster.
North Wagga enjoyed their biggest win since they returned from recess when they downed Coleambally by 55 points in last Sunday’s first semi-final.
Watt came off in the third term with the knee injury, only to learn the full extent on Wednesday.
The verdict caught Watt by surprise.
“I’ve been able to walk and work.
“I’m fairly shattered.
“I was hoping I would be able to play, if not this week, next week, but that’s not on the cards anymore.”
Watt said he is quickly learning to take the good with the bad.
“The weekend was good, we won, but the injury was a downer,” he said.
“Then obviously Monday night, winning the medal, it was a pretty good feeling, I don’t think it’s really sunk in.
“Now I’ve found out this but at least it doesn’t need surgery and I can still work and things.”
EWK, after losing their first game of the year in last Saturday’s second semi-final will start strong favourites against the Saints.
The Hawks have beaten North Wagga on both previous occasions this season, but Watt is confident the Saints’ best is good enough to knock their arch-rivals over.
“I reckon if we play like we did last Sunday, I don’t think East Wagga will come near us,” he said.
“It’s going to be tough, they’re going to come out firing so it should be a good close game.”
The Saints will hope to regain full-back David Karlberg for the big clash.
Karlberg injured his calf in the loss to The Rock-Yerong Creek in the qualifying final and missed the win over Coleambally.
Talented schoolboy Lachie Gaffney has also been cleared of a jaw injury and will be fit to face the Hawks on Saturday.
