Temora have been rocked by news that wingman Colby Poole will require another knee reconstruction, after an earlier prognosis appeared to allay fears of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
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The youngster received the news on Thursday that he will need a second operation on the same knee he’s had surgery on previously.
“He’s pretty shattered by it and down in the dumps right now, but he’s a strong bloke and he’ll be there and will get around the boys for the rest of the year,” Temora coach Jake Wooden said.
“It’s a massive blow for the team as well because he’s been in our top three most consistent players all year and playing really good footy, which is a shame.”
Poole heads a long list of outs this weekend, including Sam Jensen (hamstring), Mark Breust and Chris Stacey (unavailable).
In contrast, the Northern Jets will field one of their strongest teams of the season, with Jack Fisher returning at full-forward and defender Zac Bradley back.
Co-captain Sam Fisher has also been named to play despite finishing last week on the bench favouring a hamstring.
“I think it’ll be our strongest side of the year at the moment,” Fisher said.
“The only one we’ll be missing is Jerry Lucas (representative duties).”
Fisher believes the Jets have improved since scraping home against the Temora by two points at Ariah Park earlier in the year.
“They’re a real fast-moving side and we sort of go in with the same game plan – fast running sides,” he said.
“The difference is they’ve got Matt Harpley and a few bigger bodies up forward and want to get it in long and deep, where we’re building our game plan on lowering our eyes.
“I think we’re getting on track now, starting to click and I think we’re starting to play some good footy.”
The Jets will aim to limit the influence of Temora’s Stephen Camp in the midfield to reduce the impact of Harpley up forward.
A premiership winner at Temora, he knows what to expect at Nixon Park.
“It’s always a good challenge, you always put that little bit extra in,” Fisher said.
“All the years I was there, I made a lot of good mates.
“If you can knock off Temora at Temora it’s a good effort. We’ve got nearly a full side so not too many excuses and we’ll got out and give it our best crack.”
