Tumut will be fighting for their season without star fullback Josef Glamuzina.
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Glamuzina injured his hamstring late in the win over Ag College last week and won’t tackle Wagga City in the minor semi-final on Saturday.
One of the Bulls best throughout the season, Glamuzina has been plagued by injury since playing for the Brumbies Provincial team mid way through the season.
A toe injury had kept him sidelined, before returning to play the last two games against Ag College.
While kept quiet in his first game back, Glamuzina was among his team’s best as they ended their finals hoodoo last week.
Coach Morgan Grivas admitted his loss is a big blow for taking on Wagga City.
“Josef had a really good return to form last week and was just starting to get over the other injuries that had been keeping him out,” Grivas said.
“It is disappointing, and very frustrating for him as well.”
However with the Bulls needing to keep winning to stay alive this season, there has been little talk of when the New Zealander could feature again.
“We aren’t real sure if we will get to see him again if we advance,” Grivas said. “At the moment we are trying to take it week by week and see where we are with that one.”
Glamuzina did not play in the 30-24 loss to the Boiled Lollies three weeks ago.
It was the last time Wagga City enjoyed a win and despite coming off second best the Bulls know what needs to improve.
“We showed over the last two or three weeks that the ability to focus mentally and really concentrate on how we want to control the game is critical for us,” Grivas said.
“We certainly have the skill base among the playing group to play good footy but it is the mental application that has certainly cost us a few times over this season.
“If we can apply ourselves like we did last week then we will be in with a good shot.
“If we apply ourselves like the two weeks before that then it will probably be the end of our season.”
Coen Potter moves off the wing and into the fullback to cover Glamuzina and Girvas is confident he can fill the void once more.
Former coach Dan Dowson is back into the starting line-up.
Despite initially being ruled out last week with a broken finger, the flanker made a cameo off the bench.
Grivas is confident he’s right for a bigger role this time around.
“Dan got through the minutes he played at the back end against Aggies quite well,” he said. “We are confident he’s going to be fit enough to play along stretch this week.”