Junee will need to dig deep against Young on Sunday despite the Lions languishing at the bottom of the Pascoe Cup ladder, according to coach Lincoln Weir.
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Weir said the winless Jaguars were facing an uphill battle without the firepower of key attacking players Adrian Merrigan and Nic Jones.
Merrigan suffered a groin strain two weeks ago, while Jones re-aggravated his hamstring during the same clash, which doubled as his first game back.
“We’ll really miss them on the weekend,” Weir said.
“Those guys are very quick with the ball and their decision making is great as well.”
Making matters worse for Junee is that reserve grade – which the first grade side has heavily relied on for numbers – is scheduled to play 140 kilometres away.
That may leave the Pascoe Cup outfit with just one substitute to work with.
Meanwhile, Weir is still battling through constant headaches after taking a blow to the face which fractured a sinus bone during round five.
The Junee leader suited up on the wing on the weekend in an attempt to limit the amount of unavoidable contact between ball and head, and is likely to do the same this week.
Junee chalked up yet another 3-3 draw - its third in six games - at Burns Park on Sunday, this time against six-placed South Wagga.
Warriors striker Nazaar Yousif caused all sorts of problems for the Jaguars defence, chalking up an impressive brace.
Braiden Philipse slotted Junee’s first two goals, before Weir – who was a game time decision – scored an equalising penalty at the death.
“I was extremely proud of the boys,” Weir said.
“We had to fight hard just to get that draw.”
Jaguars now sit in eighth spot with three draws and three losses.
Their goal difference (-5) is the only thing separating them from the bottom of the table, which is occupied by Wagga United (ninth) and Young (10th).
