Southcity will be without enforcer Hayden Jeans for the grand final rematch against Gundagai at Anzac Park on Sunday.
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The Bulls front rower broke a knuckle in the win over Kangaroos in round one and still hasn’t come right.
While he was “lucky” not to have missed any football yet, courtesy of consecutive byes, the representative prop is hoping to be right for the clash against Junee next week.
“I think I just bent it back in a tackle but it’s alright and I should be right in a couple of weeks,” Jeans said.
“Hopefully next week.”
The loss of Jeans is one of two big changes for Southcity.
They will also welcome back Usaia O’Sullivan for the clash.
O’Sullivan had left the club for a Queensland Cup stint before having a change of heart.
With two weddings in the lead up to the clash, O’Sullivan is yet to train with the team and will come off the bench.
Bulls captain-coach Nick Skinner is confident the imposing centre will quickly slip back into the fold.
“He won’t have a training run with us before, he’s coming straight over and straight into it,” Skinner said.
“He is a good addition and everyone is excited to have him back in the team.”
Skinner believes the club is ready for another crack at the Tigers after not playing since a comfortable win over Kangaroos in round one
“It’s excting and with the two weeks off we’ve trained pretty hard,” Skinner said.
“We’re keen as, it should be good and should be tough over there.
“We just have to go over there with a good attitude.”
Gundagai also goes into the clash plenty of firepower mssing including Weissel Medal winner Brett Eccleston plus star fullback Dane O’Hehir and forwards Vinny Brown and Kieran Pearce.
Joe Rose is also out with a ribs issue meaning teenagers Charles Barton and Tate Brook get their chance to impress.
Captain-coach James Smart is hoping the home ground advantage can help the Tigers extract some grand final revenge.
“Obviously a lot has changed with the line-ups for both sides,” Smart said.
“The biggest big of confidence we can take into this weekend is that we are at home.
“Obviously we have a few guys out but I still think we have the team their capable of doing the job.
“There is no reason why we can’t win on Sunday.”
Eccleston (hernia) and O’Hehir (overseas holiday) are expected back after the bye for the clash with Junee however Pearce (knee) and Brown (ribs) could be longer term prospects.