Tigers on the mend

Woo has reported Gundagai is on the brink of having a near-full complement of players for the top level clash with Southcity at Harris Park on Sunday week.

Heading into the duel with the Bulls, the Tigers are in number one spot on the Group Nine table, while their opponents are third.

After a problem-plagued start to the season, Gundagai is gradually getting key personnel, including halfback Chris Rose and versatile Tyron Gorman, back from injury.

“Chris goes back to the specialist today (Wednesday), but hopefully he will be cleared to play against Southcity,” Woo said.

”We will also have Tyron Gorman returning after missing the Kangaroos game with a hamstring injury.”

Rose has been sidelined since suffering a broken jaw in the first game of the season, leaving Woo to use highly-talented rookies Joey Rose and Derek Hay at halfback.

Likewise, Gorman was laid up when Gundagai thrashed Kangaroos 40-12 at Anzac Park last Sunday.

The likely return of Gorman and Chris Rose will put the Tigers into a formidable position for the showdown with Southcity in Wagga.

Woo said the club had fared badly with injuries to prime position players in the opening eight weeks of the premiership.

“We haven't had the best run this year,” Woo said.

“Our one, seven and six have all been missing at different stages during the year.

“Once Chris is back we will only be missing (fullback) Dane O'Hehir.

“He (O’Hehir) is still about four weeks off.”

Significantly, Gundagai and Southcity will face an anxious wait before finalising their respective teams for the Harris Park blockbuster.

The Bulls and Tigers each have multiple representatives in the Riverina team to play South Coast in a Country Championship semi-final at Camden on Saturday week, the day before the Harris Park game.

Riverina thumped Northern Rivers 32-16 in the opening round last Saturday.